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THE 


BOOK  OE  EVERGREENS. 

A  PRACTICAL  TREATISE  ON  THE 

CONIFERS, 

OR    CONE-BEARINa   PLANTS. 


BY 

JOSIAH    HOOPES, 

MEMBER  OF  THE  ACADEMY  OF  NATURAL  SCIEHCES  OF  PHILADELPHIA. 


NEW    YORK: 

ORANGE    JUDD    &    COMPANY, 

245     BROADWAY. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1868,  by 
ORANGE  JUDD  &  CO., 

At  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Southern  District  of  New-York. 


LOVEJOY,  SON  &  Co., 

ELECTROTYPEKS  &  STEREOTYPEKS, 

15  Vandewater  Street,  N.   Y. 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF 
Dr.    ^VIM 


AS   A   SLIGHT   TRIBUTE   OF   RESPECT  AND   ADMIRATION 

FOR  HIS   MANY  VIRTUES, 
DISPLAYED   THROUGHOUT   A  LONG  AND    USEFUL   LIFE. 


PREFACE. 


If  a  life  devoted  to  the  study  of  trees  and  plants  be  a 
sufficient  excuse  for  an  unknown  author  to  intrude  his 
views  and  experiences  upon  the  public,  then  the  writer  of 
this  volume  feels  at  liberty  to  present  his  first  offering. 

His  principal  inducement  for  undertaking  a  work  of  this 
kind  was. the  want  he  had  himself  experienced  at  the  com- 
mencement of  his  own  studies.  Having  for  years  awaited 
the  appearance  of  a  publication  suited  to  the  climate  of 
this  country,  he  at  last  concluded  to  compile  the  results  of 
his  own  observation  and  practice. 

There  has  not  heretofore  been  an  American  work  on 
Conifers,  giving  descriptions  of  all  the  different  species 
and  varieties  that  will  endure  the  climate  of  the  Middle 
States ;  and  without  wishing  to  detract  from  the  merits  of 
the  few  excellent  works  that  treat  upon  this  subject  to  a 
limited  extent,  he  believes  that  the  present  volume  will  fill 
up  a  blank  in  our  works  on  horticulture,  that  has  hereto- 
fore been  much  felt.  In  its  compilation  he  has  collected 
much  valuable  information  from  the  most  approved  writers 
on  the  subject,  and  added  his  own  experience  and  observa- 
tion in  a  plain  and  impartial  manner,  with  a  view  to  aid  his 
countrymen  in  making  a  selection  of  the  most  suitable 
Conifers  for  their  respective  situations. 

The  differences  of  European  and  American  author- 
ities, with  respect  to  nomenclature,  are  numerous  and  per- 
plexing, and  where  there  were  dissimilar  opinions,  the 
author  has  studied  the  characteristics  of  the  doubtful 
plants,  and  placed  them  under  what  he  considered  their 
5 


VI  PREFACE. 

proper  titles,  without  regard  to  nationalities  or  prejudices. 
The  author  acknowledges  his  indebtedness  to  the  excellent 
works  of  Gray,  Chapman,  Darlington,  Endlicher,  Richard, 
Loudon,  Gordon,  Lawson,  Murray,  Nuttall,  Michaux,  and 
others,  from  which  a  portion  of  the  descriptions  have  been 
drawn. 

To  the  following  friends,  who  have  aided  him  in  his 
11  labor  of  love"  he  would  return  his  sincere  thanks,  whilst 
gratefully  remembering  the  many  acts  of  kindness  received 
from  others,  who  are  not  particularized  in  this  place. 

To  Thomas  Meehan,  editor  of  the  "  Gardener's  Monthly," 
for  his  constant  aid  from  the  commencement  of  the  work, 
and  especially  for  valuable  information  in  regard  to  the 
newer  species. 

To  his  esteemed  correspondent,  Dr.  C.  C.  Parry,  of 
Davenport,  Iowa,  for  many  interesting  notes  furnished  on 
our  Rocky  Mountain  Coniferae. 

To  Professors  S.  S.  Rathvon,  and  J.  Stauffer,  of  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  for  valuable  notes  on  insects  injurious  to  this 
family  of  trees. 

To  Prof.  George  Thurber,  of  New  York  City,  for  his 
careful  supervision  of  the  whole  work,  and  by  whose  prac- 
tical knowledge  its  value  has  been  greatly  enhanced. 

To  the  late  John  Evans,  of  Radnor,  Pa.,  for  many  excel- 
lent ideas,  as  well  as  for  numerous  specimens  contributed, 
the  result  of  a  long  life  of  study  and  travel. 

To  the  late  Dr.  Wm.  Darlington  and  Joshua  Hoopes, 
of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  for  unvarying  kindness,  unsolicited 
assistance,  and  the  advice  and  instruction  which  enabled 
him  to  become  acquainted  with  this  important  subject. 

Should  this  first  attempt  be  rewarded  by  the  encourage- 
ment of  the  reader,  and  a  renewed  interest  awakened  even 
in  a  few,  the  author  will  feel  that  the  time  devoted  to  its 
compilation  has  been  well  spent. 

JOSIAH  HOOPES. 

Cherry  Hill  Nurseries,  West  Chester,  Pa. 


CHAPTER    I. 

N  T  R  O  D  U  C  T  O  K  Y 


In  writing  a  work  upon  a  particular  family  of  plants, 
the  author  is  at  loss  to  know  how  fhr  he  can  presume  up- 
on the  knowledge  of  the  reader  with  respect  to  plants  in 
general.  Believing  that  there  are  many  who  would  con- 
sult this  work  to  learn  some  points  about  Coniferce,  or 
Cone-bearing  plants,  who  are  not  familiar  with  plant 
structure  and  the  systems  of  classification,  the  writer  has 
preferred  to  be  elementary  and  explain  many  terms  that, 
to  the  botanical  student,  would  need  no  definition.  No 
one  who  has  not  attempted  to  write  a  work  that  shall  be 
equally  useful  to  the  experienced  man  and  the  novice,  is 
aware  of  the  difficulties  attending  the  task.  We  are 
obliged  to  assume  that  the  reader  is  aware — or  if  not  ad- 

O 

vised,  we  have  to  state — that  all  plants  are  divided  into 
two  great  series,  the  Flowerless  and  the  Flowering  Plants. 
The  former  are  called  Cryptogamous,  meaning  plants  with 
hidden  fructification;  and  the  latter  Phcenogamous,  or 
those  in  which  the  parts  concerned  in  fructification  are 
readily  observable.  Flowering  (Phcenogamous)  plants, 
those  with  which  we  are  most  familiar,  are  subdivided  into 
two  classes :  Dicotyledonous  plants,  having  two  seed-leaves 
to  the  young  plant,  or  embryo,  and  their  stems  showing  a 
distinct  pith,  wood  and  bark ;  and  the  Monocotyledonous 
plants,  that  have  but  one  seed-leaf  to  the  embryo  and  no 
distinct  wood,  pith,  and  bark  in  the  stem.  Besides  this, 
7 


8  THE   BOOK   OP   EVERGREENS. 

monocotyledonous  plants  have  usually  leaves  with  parallel 
veins,  while  those  of  the  other  class  have  the  veins  of  the 
leaves  more  or  less  interwoven  or  netted.  The  stems  of  the 
woody  dicotyledonous  plants  show  a  regular  annual 
growth ;  each  year  a  layer  of  wood  is  deposited  outside  of 
the  older  growth,  and  they  are  called  Exogens,  or  outside 
growers,  while,  as  this  order  of  growth  is  not  observed  in 
the  monocotyledonous  plants,  and  the  newer  woody  fibres 
are  mostly  in  the  centre  of  the  stem,  they  are  called 
Endogens,  or  inside  growers.  To  the  first  of  these  classes, 
the  JExogens,  or  Dicotyledons,  belongs  the  Coniferae,  or 
Pine  Family,  which  presents  peculiarities  of  structure 
differing  from  other  Exogens,  and  which  will  be  described 
farther  along. 

To  the  Cryptogamous  or  flowerless  plants  belong  the 
Mosses,  Ferns,  Club-mosses,  and  Others  still  more  simple 
in  their  structure. 

Geological  researches  have  shown  that  after  the  forma- 
tion of  this  lower  order  of  vegetation,  the  Coniferce  came 
into  being.  This  period  was  coeval  with  the  formation  of 
stone  coal,  which  is  indicated  by  the  distinct  and  beauti- 
ful impressions  found  in  the  various  strata  throughout  the 
coal  regions. 

In  the  three  great  periods  or  epochs  of  geological  his- 
tory, we  find  by  the  vegetable  remains  that,  during  the 
first  period,  their  flora  consisted  principally  of  the  crypto- 
gaim'ge,  or  flowerless  plants,  with  a  few  dicotyledonous 
plants.  These  two  classes  were  about  equally  divided  in 
the  second  period ;  and  in  the  third,  the  dicotyledonous 
plants  constituted  much  the  larger  portion,  whilst  the 
cryptogamia  were  rare. 

Monocotyledonous  plants  existed  in  every  period,  al- 
though by  no  means  plentiful  in  any  of  them. 

In  the  first  period  the  prevailing  families  were  Ferns  and 
enormous  Equisetums,  or  Horse-tails ;  in  the  second  epoch, 
only  one-third  were  Ferns,  and  the  remaining  two-thirds 


INTRODUCTION.  0 

Coniferae  and  Lycopodiaceae,  or  Club-mosses,  with  inter- 
mediate allied  forms.  The  third  period  presented  much 
the  same  disposition  of  vegetation  as  the  present  existing 
forms. 

Dr.  Buckland,  in  his  Bridgewater  Treatise  on  Ge- 
ology, says:  "The  family  which  has  most  universally 
pervaded  every  stage  of  vegetation  is  that  of  Coniferae, 
increasing  in  the  number  and  variety  of  its  genera  and 
species  at  each  successive  change  in  the  climate  and  con- 
dition of  the  surface  of  the  earth.  This  family  forms 
about  one  three-hundreth  part  of  the  total  number  of  ex- 
isting vegetables." 

The  ancient  writers  frequently  mention  the  existence  of 
the  Coniferae,  and  used  the  Pines  and  Cedars  as  striking 
illustrations  of  strength  and  durability.  The  Romans 
used  garlands  of  pine  branches  for  crowning  the  victors  in 
their  games,  and  the  wood  to  form  their  funeral  piles. 
The  cones  and  seeds  were  considered  medicinal,  and  were 
sought  after  for  flavoring  their  wines.  The  rare  graceful- 
ness and  artistic  arrangement  of  many  of  the  species 
were  used  as  models  by  the  sculptor,  and  the  timber  was 
employed  for  building  purposes.  According  to  Theophras- 
tus,  an  early  Greek  writer,  the  wood  of  the  pine  was  so 
saturated  with  resin  that  it  formed  excellent  torches,  which 
were  used  at  the  sacred  ceremonies. 

The  assertion  of  Pliny  that  the  wood  of  the  Larch  never 
creates  a  flame  when  burning,  as  well  as  that  it  never 
flowers,  is  an  error  that  leads  us  of  the  present  day  to 
question  whether  he  ever  saw  the  tree.  The  same  author 
speaks  of  the  preservative  properties  of  the  juice  of  the 
Cedar,  and  states  it  was  used  in  preparing  mummies^  The 
Cedar  of  Lebanon  was  considered  by  the  profane  writers 
as  symbolical  of  durability,  but  it  is  very  probable  that 
other  Conifers  were  known  under  this  name. 

The  wood  of  the  Cypress  was  also  held  in  great  respect 
by  the  ancients,  and  the  branches  employed  in  religious 
1* 


10  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

exercises.  Its  "balsamic  properties  were  considered  medic- 
inal, even  to  the  odor  exhaled  from  the  trees.  The  tim- 
ber was  used  extensively  in  both  naval  and  civil  architect- 
ure ;  and  in  ornamental  plantations,  particularly  for  ceme- 
tary  purposes,  the  Cypress  was  regarded  as  the  most  eli- 
gible plant  known. 

The  Juniper  was  also  known  to  the  early  writers,  being 
noticed  by  Pliny  and  Virgil ;  and  whilst  they  generally 
admit  the  medicinal  virtues  of  the  fruit,  its  shade  was 
considered  by  them  as  highly  injurious  to  animal  life.  The 
Yews  are,  perhaps,  more  frequently  mentioned  by  the  an- 
cient writers  than  any  other  genus  of  the  Coniferae,  allu- 
pions  being  made  to  them  in  the  writings  of  Caesar,  Pliny, 
Suetonius,  Nicander,  Plutarch,  Galin,  etc.  Their  poison- 
ous properties  appear  to  have  been  greatly  overrated,  for 
Gerard,  the  quaint  old  writer,  in  his  day  exposed  the  fal- 
lacy of  most  of  these  statements. 

The  exceeding  toughness  of  the  wood  of  the  Yew,  how- 
ever, was  known  and  appreciated,  for  it  was  used  exten- 
sively for  manufacturing  bows.  The  custom  of  planting 
the  Yew  around  the  graves  of  the  departed  was  universal 
with  the  ancients,  and  has  continued  popular  until  the 
present  day. 

In  many  places  throughout  the  sacred  writings  we  find 
the  Conifers  beautifully  mentioned,  the  similes  often  be- 
ing among  the  most  eloquent  passages  known  in  the  Eng- 
lish language. 

The  Cedars  are  much  more  frequently  quoted  than  any 
other  genus,  and  are  particularly  described  as  being  ex- 
ceedingly durable  and  strong ;  thus  endorsing  the  state- 
ment^ of  the  profane  writers,  but  in  which  we,  of  the 
present  day,  cannot  acquiesce.  So  highly  was  the  Cedar 
tree  held  in  the  estimation  of  the  inspired  writers  that  the 
attributes  of  strength,  height,  size,  growth,  and  fruitful 
ness  were  constantly  made  comparable  to  this  tree.  The 
Fir  was  seldom  mentioned,  and  the  Pine  was  alluded  to 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

even  less  frequently.  In  the  First  Book  of  Kings  it  is 
stated  that  Elijah  "lay  and  slept  under  a  Juniper  tree  in 
the  wilderness."  This  tree  is  also  incidentally  mentioned 
in  the  Books  of  Job  and  Psalms,  but  we  believe,  with  these 
exceptions,  in  no  other  instance  throughout  the  Scriptures. 
The  Yew  is  not  alluded  to  by  any  of  the  sacred  writers. 

According  to  Loudon,  "  the  first  author  who  wrote  ex- 
clusively on  trees  and  shrubs  appears  to  have  been  Belon, 
a  Doctor  of  Medicine  of  the  faculty  of  Paris,  who  pro- 
duced a  small  quarto  volume,  entitled:  De  Arboribus, 
Coniferis,  Hesiniferis,  etc.,  printed  in  Paris  in  1523,  and 
illustrated  with  a  number  of  engravings  on  wood.  Dif- 
ferent species  of  Juniperus  and  Cupressus,  the  Thuja 
Orientalis,  Cedrus  Hbani^  and  several  pines  and  firs,  as 
well  as  the  Larch,  are  described  and  figured ;  and  a  num- 
ber of  other  plants  are  mentioned  incidentally."  Since 
Belon's  time,  however,  the  French  have  paid  the  Coni- 
fers marked  attention;  more,  perhaps,  than  any  other 
nation. 

Loudon  also  says :  "  In  Delamarre's  Traite  Pratique  de 
la  Culture  des  Pins,  3rd  Edition,  published  in  1834,  will 
be  found  an  alphabetical  catalogue  of  forty-three  authors, 
who  have  written  more  or  less  on  the  culture  of  the  Pine 
in  France." 

Among  the  many  writers  on  Conifers,  the  same  author- 
ity states  that  Tournefort  was  the  first  to  study  them  scien- 
tifically, and  to  class  the  order  into  genera,  as  described 
in  his  Institution es,  published  in  1717  and  1719.  He  was 
followed  by  Linnsus  in  his  Genera  Plantarum,  published 
1737;  by  Adanson,  in  his  Families  des  Plantes,  published 
1763 ;  and  by  Jussieu,  in  1789,  in  his  Genera  Plantarum. 
These  writers  were  succeeded  by  Solander,  in  1786 ;  by 
Gsrtner,  in  1791 ;  by  Lambert,  in  his  first  volume  entitled 
Monograph'  of  the  Genus  Pinus,  published  in  1803; 
which  was  followed  by  his  second  volume  in  1832,  and  the 
third  in  1837.  Other  botanical  authors  have,  during  the 


12  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

present  century,  devoted  much  labor  to  the  investigation 
and  proper  classification  of  this  important  order.  Promi- 
nently, we  may  mention  the  names  of  L'Heritier,  Smith, 
Link,  Persoon,  Barrelier,  Salisbury,  Ventenant,  Desfon- 
taines,  Tazzetti,  Schubert,  Richard,  Mirbel,  Tristan,  La- 
marck, R.  Brown,  Michaux,  Rafinesque,  Don,  Lindley, 
Loudon,  Douglas,  Menzies,  Endlicher,  Siebold,  Hooker, 
Knight,  Nuttall,  and  others,  with  the  more  recent  authors, 
Carriere,  Gordon,  Veitch,  Murray,  Engelmann,  Gray,  Par- 
ry, etc. 

The  great  natural  order  Conifers  very  appropriately 
derives  its  name  from  its  peculiar  mode  of  fructification, 
which  signifies,  literally,  a  Cone-bearing  tree ;  and,  as  a 
considerable  number  of  distinct  characteristics  mark  its 
every  stage  of  growth  from  the  embryo  to  the  mature 
tree  or  shrub,  it  should  claim,  in  110  small  degree,  our  pa- 
tient investigation  and  research. 

Having  commenced,  therefore,  with  the  first  evidences 
of  its  formation,  we  will  follow  its  history  through  the 
changes  that  mark  its  growth. 

The  ConiferaB  is  the  only  well-known  order  belonging  to 
the  sub-class  Gymnospermcea  /  i.  e.  naked-seeded.  Their 
peculiar,  yet  simple,  mode  of  fructification  is  exceedingly 
interesting  to  the  botanist,  and  furnishes  the  most  reliable 
and  distinctive  characters  by  which  the  different  genera 
and  species  are  distinguished.  The  several  members  of 
this  important  family  are  all  trees  and  shrubs,  abounding 
throughout  their  entire  structure  with  resinous  juice.  Ex- 
amined by  the  microscope,  the  walls  of  their  wood-cells 
are  marked  by  curious  circular  disks  and  glands,  but  the 
wood  is  entirely  destitute  of  ducts.  The  leaves  are  linear 
or  lanceolate,  diverging  into  needle-shaped,  awl-shaped, 
or  scale-shaped,  with  all  their  intermediate  and  combined 
forms ;  excepting  in  the  Salisburia,  which  ha*s  a  very  cu- 
rious fan-shaped  or  wedge-shaped  leaf,  on  a  long  petiole. 
The  LariX)  (Pseudolarix?),  Taxodium,  Qlyptostrobus, 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

and  Saltsburia r,produce  deciduous  leaves,and  the  remainder 
of  the  family  are  all  evergreen,  or  have  persistent  foliage. 

The  chief  peculiarity  of  this  order  is  in  the  naked  ovules 
or  rudiments  of  seeds,  which  are  borne  mostly  on  the  inner 
surface  of  a  scale  or  carpellary  leaf,  and  fructified  by  the  im- 
mediate application  of  the  pollen,  without  the  service  of  a 
pistil  or  the  appendages  of  calyx  and  corolla.  The  flow- 
ers are  borne  principally  in  aments  or  clusters,  and  are 
either  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  as  in  the  Junipers  and 
Yews,  or  at  the  extremities  of  the  branches,  as  in  the 
Pines  and  Cypresses.  In  the  pistillate  aments  each  indi- 
vidual carpellary  scale  acts  as  a  separate  and  distinct  flow- 
er, and  the  whole  combination,  when  mature,  forms  a  spe- 
cies of  multiple  fruit,  or,  as  it  is  generally  designated,  a 
cone.  The  sterile  flowers  are  also  in  aments,  and  usually 
consist  of  a  small  collection  of  stamens,  adhering  to  the 
under  side  of  a  scale. 

In  fruiting,  this  order  displays  a  great  diversity  of  forms 
and  characters.  In  the  sub-order  AbietinaB  and  most  of  the 
CupressinaB  the  species  are  recognized  by  the  woody  cones 
of  different  sizes  and  shapes,  whilst  in  the  Juniperus  and 
Taxacese  the  fruits  in  their  primitive  condition  are  small 
cones  and  furnished  with  carpellary  leaves,  but  swelling 
at  maturity  into  drupe-like  berries,  or  fleshy,  naked  drupes. 
The  albumen  of  the  seeds  is  of  an  oily,  fleshy  consistency, 
with  the  embryo  in.  the  axis.  The  cotyledons  in  this 
family  range  from  two  to  many  in  a  whorl. 

The  near  affinity  displayed  between  many  genera,  as  in 
Larix  and  Cedrus,  Abies  and  Picea,  Cupressus  and 
Chamcecyparis  (.?),  Taxodium  and  Qlyptostrobus,  etc., 
has  caused  much  controversy  and  apparent  diversity  of 
sentiment  in  many  of  the  authorities  before  quoted ;  and 
even  to  this  day  no  established  rule  can  possibly  be  given 
to  settle  these  disputed  points.  In  the  sub-orders,  any  one, 
by  careful  study,  can  ascertain  the  leading  characteristics 
that  bind  together  the  different  genera  composing  them, 


14  THE   BOOK    OF   EVEKGREENS. 

and  thus  be  enabled  to  trace  any  particular  tree  or  plant 
to  a  description  in  this  work. 

The  order  is  subdivided  into  three  sub-orders,  or  sub- 
families, which  are,  by  some  botanists,  given  the  rank  of 
orders. 

The  sub-order  Abietince,  or  Pine  sub-family,  are  all  large 
sized  trees,  growing  mostly  in  a  conical  form,  and  having 
large,  spreading,  roots,  and  horizontal  branches  with  droop- 
ing branchlets.  The  members  of  this  group  all  have  ev- 
ergreen or  persistent  leaves,  excepting  the  Larch,  (Larix^) 
with  both  sterile  and  fertile  catkins,  usually  on  the  same 
tree  but  on  different  branches.  The  cones,  or  strobiles, 
which  form  the  main  point  in  distinguishing  the  sub-or- 
ders, are  in  this  very  much  alike  in  structure,  although 
differing  greatly  in  size  and  shape.  Seeds,  mostly  edible, 
resinous  and  oily,  the  embryo  with  from  2  to  12  cotyle- 
dons. Buds,  scaly. 

The  sub-order,  Cupressince,  has,  with  few  exceptions, 
smaller  sized  trees  or  shrubs.  They  are  all  evergreen  ex- 
cept the  Taxodiums  and  Glyptostrobus,  with  generally  a 
conical  form,  which,  in  many  instances,  approaches  the  fas- 
tigiate.  The  cones  of  this  group  are  smaller  than  those  in 
the  foregoing,  and  are  composed  of  dry  scales,  excepting 
in  the  Junipers,  which  are  drupe-like  berries  at  maturity. 
Buds,  naked. 

The  Third  sub-order,  Taxinece,  or  Yew  sub-family,  is 
very  distinct  from  the  others,  and  is  by  many  botanists 
separated  from  the  Conifers.  The  species  belonging  to 
this  are  about  equally  divided  between  the  medium-sized 
and  smaller  class  of  trees,  and  produce  in  fruit  a  naked 
drupe,  or,  in  some  instances,  a  fleshy,  drupe-like  berry. 
Buds,  scaly. 

No  known  order  of  plants  presents  such  a  diversity  of 
size  as  that  of  the  Conifers.  From  the  humble,  trailing 
shrub,  it  embraces  trees  of  every  size  to  the  lordly  Sequoia 
gigantea  of  300  feet  in  height.  Every  shade  and  tint  of 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

green  is  also  beautifully  displayed  in  the  foliage  of  the 
various  species,  and  in  the  many  curious  and  unique  vari- 
eties we  have  the  variegated  leaves  that  occasionally  occur 
throughout  the  whole  of  our  flora. 

The  extensive  fir  and  pine  forests  of  Northern  Europe 
that  clothe  the  mountain  ranges  so  universal  in  those  coun- 
tries, cover  millions  of  acres,  and  contain  some  magnif- 
icent specimens  in  size  and  beauty.  But  large  as  these 
enormous  tracts  appear,  they  are  inferior  to  those  of  our 
Western  regions.  Immense  tracts  of  timber  clothe  the 
summits  and  sides  of  a  large  portion  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  the  section  of  country  west  to  the  Pacific  Coast. 
Some  of  the  enormous  trees  found  in  these  localities  are 
of  almost  incredible  size.  Specimens  of  the  Pinus  Lam- 
bertiana,  Picea  nobilis,  Picea  grandis,  and  Sequoia  gi- 
gantea,  are  often  met  with  reaching  a  height  of  200  feet 
and  upwards. 

The  several  genera  composing  this  order  are  limited  to 
no  particular  climate  or  country,  but  are  natives  of  the 
torrid,  frigid,  and  temperate  zones,  throughout  the  whole 
world.  Each  region  has  its  own  representative,  marked 
by  its  peculiar  type  of  growth.  On  the  coldest  summits 
of  the  Alpine  peaks  of  Lapland,  at  the  very  utmost  limits 
of  arborescent  vegetation,  are  found  many  of  the  d warier 
species ;  whilst,  on  the  other  extreme,  the  splendid  Arauca- 
carias  and  Dacridiums  develop  their  beauty  beneath  the 
scorching  sun  of  a  torrid  clime. 

Although  the  family  is  not  remarkable  for  producing 
edible  fruit,  and  only  a  few  members  of  it  that  of  sufficient 
value  for  exportation,  yet  many  of  the  species  bear  very 
nutritious  seed,  upon  which  the  natives  of  those  countries 
where  they  grow,  almost  entirely  subsist. 

The  Pinus  Xambertiana,  for  instance,  has  large,  dark- 
brown  seeds,  that  are  eagerly  gathered  by  the  Indians, 
and  form  one  of  their  principal  articles  of  food.  The  P. 
pinea  also  produces  large,  nut-like  seeds,  about  three-quar- 


16  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

ters  of  an  inch  in  length,  which  are  considered  quite  nutri- 
tious, and  are  even  in  limited  demand  as  an  article  of 
commerce. 

For  their  medicinal  and  mechanical  properties,  the  pro- 
ducts of  this  family  constitute  a  very  important  item  of  traf- 
fic. Various  so-called  balsams  and  resins,  that  are  service- 
able in  the  materia-medica,  as  well  as  the  pitch,  tar,  rosin, 
and  turpentine  of  trade,  have  yielded  an  immense  annual 
income  to  the  manufacturers.  For  building  purposes,  both 
in  naval  and  civil  architecture,  the  lumber  furnished  by  the 
Abietina?  is,  perhaps,  the  most  useful  and  valuable  in  the 
market.  The  immense  rafts  of  White  and  Yellow  Pine, 
as  well  as  Hemlock  Spruce,  that  are  conveyed  yearly  to 
our  large  cities,  contribute  largely  to  their  mercantile 
prosperity,  and  produce  a  livelihood  for  large  numbers 
of  workmen  in  those  sections  from  whence  it  is  obtained. 


CHAPTER  II. 

SOIL    AND     PLANTING. 


We  desire  in  this  chapter  to  point  out  many  of  the  evil 
practices  into  which  planters,  in  this  country,  too  fre- 
quently fall ;  as  well  as  to  give  a  few  concise  instructions 
in  regard  to  the  proper  time  and  manner  of  transplant- 
ing, selection  and  preparation  of  soils,  etc.  These  rules 
are  the  fundamental  principles  upon  which  everything 
else  depends;  for,  if  correct  ideas  are  wanting  at  the 
commencement,  failure  will  inevitably  be  the  result. 

In  planting  evergreens  on  a  lawn,  care  must  be  observed 
to  ascertain  whether  the  soil  is  suitable  for  their  healthy 
growth  and  subsequent  development.  With  a  very  few 
exceptions,  the  Conifers  prefer  a  light,  sandy  subsoil,  open 
and  porous,  that  will  admit  of  a  perfect  drainage,  yet 
with  a  deep,  rich  surface  soil,  to  afford  a  proper  supply 
of  healthy  nourishment  to  sustain  the  large  quantity  of 
fibres  with  which  their  roots  are  furnished. 

We  have  closely  observed  for  a  number  of  years  that 
on  stiff,  clayey  soils,  or  those  which  are  retentive  of  moist- 
ure, the  half-hardy  species  will  inevitably  be  killed,  or 
what  is  more  annoying,  be  severely  injured.  Experiments 
in  various  parts  of  the  country,  in  regard  to  this  particular, 
have  always  decided  that  much  more  depends  upon  the 
quality  of  the  soil,  than  on  the  temperature  of  the  atmos- 
phere. The  reason  of  this  is  obvious ;  for,  in  almost  every 
instance  where  an  unacclimated  tree  has  been  injured,  we 
17 


18  THE   BOOK   OF  EVERGREENS. 

find  that  the  plant  has  either  been  prevented  from  forming 
its  growth  early  in  the  season,  and,  in  consequence,  has 
been  overtaken  by  the  frosts,  or,  as  is  very  often  the  case, 
it  has  grown  over-luxuriantly,  and  the  nature  of  the  soil 
has  prevented  it  from  properly  ripening  the  young  wood. 

An  excellent  example  of  the  value  attached  to  light 
soils  is  shown  by  a  Deodar  Cedar  that  is  standing  on  our 
own  grounds. 

This  beautiful  species  has  been  pronounced  tender  by 
almost  all  planters,  and  its  dissemination  consequently 
discouraged.  The  specimen  to  which  we  allude  is,  at  the 
present  time,  about  25  or  30  feet  in  height,  and  quite  broad 
in  proportion ;  and  so  perfectly  is  it  adapted  to  the  situ- 
ation, and,  to  all  present  appearances,  entirely  acclimated, 
that  it  passes  through  each  winter  without  the  least  pro- 
tection; and  by  all  owners  of  heavy  soils  is  regarded  with 
undisguised  astonishment. 

It  is  growing  in  a  somewhat  warm  exposure,  and  in  al- 
most pure  sand,  with  a  good,  mellow  surface.  Thus,  whilst 
the  tree  is  debarred  from  making  a  rank  growth,  the  wood 
ripens  sound  and  healthy,  and  the  very  end  buds  remain 
until  spring  sound  and  full  of  vitality.* 

The  magnificent  specimen  of  Abies  Douglasii,  referred 
to  in  the  description  of  that  species,  and  at  the  present 
time  growing  in  the  Evans  Arboretum,  is  another  excellent 
example  of  the  influence  of  soil  on  the  growth  of  half- 
hardy  plants. 

Trees  that  are  natives  of  low,  swampy  grounds  will 
also,  in  many  cases,  thrive  satisfactorily  in  dry  situations. 
Near  the  Deodar  above  mentioned,  is  growing  a  fine, 
healthy,  deciduous  Cypress,  (Taxodium  distiehum,)  that 
inhabits  the  low  miasmatic  swamps  of  the  Southern  States; 
and  yet,  on  this  apparently  dry  ground,  it  flourishes  with 
all  the  vigor  that  the  wild  trees  do  in  their  marshy  soil. 

*  This  tree  has,  since  the  above  was  written,  been  killed  by  unprecedented^ 
severe  weather. 


SOIL   AND   PLANTING.  19 

We  do  no*t  wish  to  be  understood  as  recommending  a 
poor,  thin  soil,  but  we  prefer  a  good  mellow  surface  that 
is  not  too  rich,  especially  in  organic  manures,  and  that 
would  produce  fair  crops  of  grain  ;  on  such  the  great  ma- 
jority of  evergreens  will  develop  that  peculiar  rich  green 
foliage  which  causes  the  family  to  be  so  universally  ad- 
mired. 

In  all  cases  where  the  soil  is  not  naturally  in  the  above 
condition,  the  drain-tile  should  invariably  be  used,  as  stag- 
nant water,  when  allowed  to  remain  in  the  vicinity  of 
roots,  is  sure  to  cause  decomposition.  In  such  cases,  when 
a  tree  is  lifted,  long,  bare  roots  that  are  almost  entirely 
destitute  of  fibres,  are  found  in  the  place  of  a  mass  of 
small  rootlets,  ramifying  in  every  direction. 

Another  important  consideration,  and  one  that  we  pre- 
sume our  cultivators  have  entirely  overlooked,  is  the  fact 
that  different  formations  of  soil  tend  to  produce  contrary 
effects  in  many  species  of  the  Coniferae ;  and  the  same  spe- 
cies that  flourishes  in  a  limestone  soil,  will  not  unfre- 
quently  languish  on  a  talc-slate,  or  red  shale.  As  regards 
this  indiscriminate  planting  without  a  proper  observance 
of  the  especial  constitutional  requirements  of  each  tree, 
we  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  our  readers  to  the  fol- 
lowing remarks  of  the  Earl  of  Ducie,  which  originally  ap- 
peared in  the  Transactions  of  the  Scottish  Arboricul- 
tural  Society,  a  few  years  since : 

"  As  a  general  and  sufficiently  obvious  rule,  the  Coniferaa 
thrive  in  proportion  to  the  depth  of  the  surface  soil  on 
which  they  stand.  This  is  especially  the  case  with  the 
Deodar  and  Finns  insignis.  The  rule  does  not,  however, 
appear  to  apply  invariably  to  Abies  Douglasii,  as  I  pos- 
sess specimens  growing  as  vigorously  on  the  cold  and 
sterile  shales  of  the  carboniferous  limestone,  as  others  on 
the  deep  and  warm  soil  of  the  old  red  sandstone. 

"  The  most  fastidious  of  the  Coniferse  which  I  have  had 
an  opportunity  of  observing,  is,  undoubtedly,  Cryptome- 


20  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

ria  Japonica.  On  the  limestone,  its  leading  shoot  is  al- 
ways defective,  and  its  growth  generally  devoted  to  the 
formation  of  a  nest-like  mass  of  small  roots ;  whilst,  on 
the  old  red,  a  formation  deficient  in  lime,  its  growth  is 
regular,  upright,  and  graceful,  and  so  rapid  that  I  have  no 
hesitation  in  affirming  that,  in  this  locality,  it  would  out- 
grow the  Larch. 

"  The  Deodar,  on  the  other  hand,  appears  to  be  the  least 
discriminating  and  the  most  accommodating  of  all  the 
Coniferse.  No  position,  and  no  variety  of  soil,  appear  to 
come  amiss  to  it ;  on  lime  or  sandstone,  rock  or  clay,  it 
grows  with  equal  facility,  though  depth  of  soil,  as  before 
stated,  invariably  contributes  to  rapid  growth. 

"  In  Araucaria  imbricata,  though  planted  in  consider- 
able abundance,  and  in  every  variety  of  soil,  I  have  not 
been  able  to  detect  any  decided  preference  for  one  forma- 
tion over  another.  It  has  an  evident  dislike  to  a  wet  lo- 
cality, and  it  generally,  though  not  exclusively,  thrives 
best  upon  a  dry  soil." 

A  number  of  other  instances  are  given,  but  as  they  are 
of  species  which  we  are  debarred  from  cultivating  on  ac- 
count of  climate,  we  have  not  quoted  them.  We  are  un- 
aware of  any  observations  having  been  made  in  our  coun- 
try in  regard  to  this  important  subject,  but  as  every 
incident  connected  with  the  proper  acclimating  of  trees  is 
of  incalculable  benefit  to  planters,  we  earnestly  desire  a 
careful  investigation  of  this  subject,  believing  it  will  even- 
tually lead  to  discoveries  which  will  very  materially  en- 
large our  list  of  available  Conifers. 

In  planting,  a  sufficiently  large  hole  should  be  excavated 
to  allow  full  scope  for  the  roots  to  start  vigorously  into 
action.  A  very  deep  hole  is  unnecessary,  as  those  roots 
that  principally  maintain  the  health  and  vigor  of  the  tree 
extend  near  the  surface  of  the  ground ;  and  the  large 
roots  that  penetrate  downward  for  a  great  distance  are 
for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  the  tree  erect,  and  prevent- 


SOIL  AND   PLANTING.  21 

ing  the  action  of  storms  from  disturbing  its  equilibrium. 
This  latter  class  of  roots  is  seldom  of  large  size  in  nur- 
sery-grown trees,  owing  to  their  having  been  frequently 
removed ;  but  in  a  young  seedling  taken  from  the  forest, 
it  is  almost  always  the  only  kind  that  are  found. 
These  tap-roots  are  considered  by  most  writers  on  the  sub- 
ject to  be  of  only  secondary  importance  in  affording 
nourishment  to  the  tree,  the  rootlets  and  small  fibres 
thrown  out  just  under  the  surface  of  the  ground  perform- 
ing that  service. 

When  transplanted,  young  forest  trees  very  frequently 
die  from  the  want  of  a  sufficient  number  of  these  surface 
or  fibrous  roots ;  but,  were  it  not  for  the  long  and  power- 
ful tap-roots  when  the  tree  arrived  at  maturity,  and,  as  is 
.often  the  case,  presenting  a  tall,  branchless  body,  the  tree 
would  inevitably  be  destroyed  by  heavy  winds. 

Every  intelligent  writer  for  years  has  "kept  it  before 
the  public  "  that  a  tree  should  never  be  planted  deep,  and 
in  fact,  shallow  planting  is  absolutely  necessary  to  insure 
a  healthy  growth.  In  setting  out  a  tree,  allowance  should 
always  be  made  for  the  settling  of  the  recently  moved 
earth,  so  that  when  the  soil  returns  to  its  usual  compact- 
ness, the  tree  shall  stand  the  same  height  as  it  did  pre- 
viously to  being  disturbed. 

This  is,  perhaps,  the  most  important  part  of  the  whole 
operation,  and  upon  a  close  observance  of  this  fact  de- 
pends the  future  prosperity  of  the  tree. 

In  planting  evergreens,  many  ignorant  persons  use  fresh 
stable  manure,  placing  it  directly  in  contact  with  the 
roots.  This  will  assuredly  cause  decomposition  to  take 
place,  and  the  death  of  the  tree  will  frequently  be  the  result. 

The  soil  for  filling-in  should  be  taken  from  an  old  pas- 
ture, or  along  roadsides,  first  paring  off  the  sod.  This, 
with  the  addition  of  a  little  sand,  unless  the  soil  is 
naturally  very  light,  is,  without  doubt,  the  most  suit- 
able that  can  be  used.  When  convenient,  peat,  from 


22  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

an  old  swamp,  that  has  been  exposed  in  a  heap  to  the 
frosts  of  at  least  one  winter,  and  well  decomposed  leaf- 
mould,  in  limited  quantities,  will  also  prove  beneficial. 

When  fertilizing  materials  are  used,  they  should  be  ap- 
plied to  the  surface,  that  the  rains  may  carry  the  necessary 
ingredients  contained  therein  to  the  proximity  of  the  roots, 
which  then  gradually  absorb  the  nourishment  by  degrees, 
and  are  not  entirely  suffocated,  as -is  often  the  case  when 
an  impatient  planter  indulges  his  passion  for  fertilizing,  at 
the  expense  of  his  favorite  tree. 

After  planting,  it  is  highly  necessary  that  the  tree  should 
be  securely  fastened  to  stakes,  for  the  purpose  of  prevent- 
ing the  action  of  strong  winds  from  displacing  it;  and,  at 
the  same  time,  it  should  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  bark 
must  be  protected  by  straw  bands  or  matting,  to  prevent 
rubbing. 

After  carefully  experimenting  and  watching  with  inter- 
est for  many  years  the  proper  season  for  transplanting  ev- 
ergreens, the  author  is  compelled  to  add  that  so  great  a 
diversity  of  sentiment  is  apparent  among  intelligent  plant- 
ers, that  to  advance  any  proposition  as  infallible  would 
be  entirely  absurd ;  and  yet  no  question  is  so  frequently 
asked  a  nurseryman  as  this. 

We  know  that  many  of  our  best  cultivators  frequently 
advance  theories  that  are  exactly  contrary  to  those  that 
we  advocate,  but  as  we  are  desirous  of  adhering  strictly 
to  well-known  facts,  and  recording  the  results  of  our  own 
experience  in  support  of  them,  we  request  an  impartial 
trial  of  our  doctrines  before  they  are  condemned. 

The  generality  of  the  order,  among  which  are  the  Pines 
and  Firs,  form  and  perfect  their  growth  by  midsummer. 
At  that  period,  during  a  long  and  rainy  season,  they  may 
be  removed  with  excellent  success ;  but,  should  a  drought 
set  in,  woe  betide  the  poor  tree,  for  all  the  waterings 
and  mulchings  that  the  anxious  owner  can  bestow  upon 
his  favorite,  will  not  avail ; — the  plant  will  almost  certainly 


SOIL   AND   PLANTING.  23 

die.  But  we  are  quite  willing  to  acknowledge  that  many 
hundreds  of  these  trees  are  annually  removed  during  this 
season,  with  entire  success,  and  notwithstanding  this,  we 
repeat,  local  conditions  are  needed  to  insure  success. 

While  a  tree  belonging  to  another  order  is  removed 
early  in  the  spring  successfully,  the  structure  of  the 
Conifene  family  is  such,  that  an  evergreen,  transplanted 
at  the  same  time,  would  doubtless  fail.  When  the  case 
is  reversed  and  each  is  planted  after  the  soil  has  become 
warmed  by  the  sun's  rays  late  in  the  season,  and  the  trees 
show  indications  of  growing,  the  latter  will  prove  most 
decidedly  more  certain.  This  is  a  practical  view  of  the 
case,  and  may  be  relied  on.  In  a  comparison  of  spring 
and  autumn  planting,  the  former  season  has  long  since 
been  decided  to  be  the  most  certain  for  removing  ever- 
greens in  this  climate. 

The  following  extract  from  Lindley's  Theory  of  Horti- 
culture gives  an  English  author's  views,  although  we 
differ  from  him  in  the  above  mentioned  particular.  "  As 
evergreens  are  never  deprived  of  their  leaves,  so  they  are 
never  incapable  of  forming  roots ;  on  the  contrary,  they 
produce  them  all  winter  long,  and  rapidly  at  any  other  pe- 
riod of  the  year  which  is  favorable  to  their  growth ;  so 
that  they  are  capable  of  making  good  an  injury  to  their 
roots  much  more  speedily  than  deciduous  plants,  especially 
as,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  the  roots  are  numerous  and 
fibrous,  and  not  so  liable  to  extensive  mutilation  when 
transplanted.  Now,  if  an  evergreen  is  planted  in  the 
month  of  May,  and  the  weather  happens  to  be  cloudy, 
mild,  and  damp,  as  the  plant  is  just  then  commencing  the 
renewal  of  its  growth,  and  is  forming  fresh  roots  abund- 
antly, if  such  a  state  of  weather  lasts  for  a  week  or  two, 
there  is  no  doubt  the  plant  will  succeed  very  well,  and  so 
it  will  if  removed  at  midsummer."  Again,  the  same 
author,  remarks:  "In  short,  I  am  certain  that,  if  expe- 
rience only  is  looked  to,  it  will  give  the  same,  answer  as 


24  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

theory  to  the  question  of  what  season  is  the  best  for  plant- 
ing evergreens,  namely :  that  which  is  best  for  other  trees  ; 
and  such  coses  to  the  contrary  as  may  appear  to  exist,  will 
always  be  found  exceptions  to  the  rule,  in  consequence  of 
some  peculiar  circumstances  attending  them ;  not  unfre- 
quently,  I  believe,  from  the  operation  having  been  per- 
formed upon  a  very  small  number  of  plants,  to  the  removal 
of  which  a  degree  of  care  was  given  wholly  incompatible 
with  general  and  extensive  practice." 

The  editor  of  the  American  edition  of'Lindley's  work,  the 
late  A.  J.  Downing,  thus  comments  upon  the  foregoing  : 
"  These  remarks  must  be  received  with  great  modification, 
especially  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern  States.  The  moist 
or  rainy  winters  of  England  are  the  exact  opposite  of  our 
cold  and  dry  ones,  during  which,  for  two  months  at  least, 
the  soil  is  severely  frozen,  and  vegetation  is  nearly  or  quite 
dormant.  Our  whole  experience  goes  to  prove  that  the 
practice  of  transplanting  evergreens  in  autumn  is,  for  this 
country,  extremely  injudicious,  as  the  damage  which  the 
trees  sustain  in  their  removal  greatly  increases  their  sfcs- 
ceptibility  to  injury  by  the  cold  of  winter.  The  early 
spring  is  the  most  favorable  period  for  the  purpose,  since 
the  abundant  and  long  continued  rains  which  occur  from 
the  vernal  equinox  to  the  middle  of  April,  enable  the 
plant  to  recover  itself  and  emit  new  roots  with  rapidity. 
We  have  been  very  successful  in  May,  but  then  so  much 
depends  upon  the  occurrence  of  rainy  weather  that  the 
risk  is  greatly  increased.  Next  to  the  selection  of  the 
proper  time,  the  preservation  of  the  roots  in  a  moist  con- 
dition is  the  most  essential  point  in  removing  all  ever- 
green trees." 

As  far  as  these  remarks  apply  to  the  superiority  of 
spring  over  autumn  planting,  they  have  our  decided  ap- 
proval ;  but  we  cannot  coincide  with  the  writer's  views  in 
advocating  an  early  spring  removal.  Practice  has  fully 
proven  to  us  the  utility  of  performing  the  operation  about 


SOIL    AND   PLANTING.  25 

the  time  the  buds  commence  perceptibly  to  swell ;  at  that 
period  the  trees,  when  transplanted,  start  immediately  into 
action  and  perform  their  functions  in  the  new  soil ;  011  the 
other  hand,  the  peculiar  fleshy  texture  of  the  roots  renders 
them  remarkably  impatient  of  being  in  a  state  of  inactivi- 
ty at  such  a  period,  and  they  will  frequently  perish  from 
this  cause,  as  is  instanced  in  very  early  spring  planting. 

The  tenacity  of  life  in  the  ConifersB  is  certainly  less  than 
in  most  deciduous  trees ;  therefore  great  care  should  be 
taken  to  always  preserve  the  roots  fresh  and  moist,  when 
out  of  the  ground.  They  evince  at  this  critical  season  a 
strong  desire  for  moisture,  not  only  at  their  roots,  but 
over  their  whole  foliage.  Trees,  when  removed  during 
rainy  weather,  always  succeed  better  than  during  a  dry 
season. 

Another  evil  practice  is  the  careless  manner  in  which 
trees  are  too  frequently  taken  up,  sufficient  care  not  being 
exercised  to  preserve  the  root  fibres,  as  many  ignorant 
gardeners  deem  the  larger  roots  sufficient  to  maintain  the 
life  of  the  tree.  In  regard  to  this  practice,  Lindley  says : 
"It  would  be  the  duty  of  the  gardener  to  save  every  mi- 
nute fibre  of  the  roots,  if  it  were  practicable ;  but  as  this 
is  not  the  case,  his  care  must  be  confined  to  lifting  his 
trees  with  the  least  possible  destruction  of  those  important 
organs  ;  remembering  always  that  it  is  not  by  the  coarse, 
old,  woody  roots  that  the  absorption  of  food  is  carried  on, 
but  by  the  younger  parts."  Now,  when  these  small  root- 
lets are  cut  off  by  the  spade  during  the  digging  process, 
every  one  so  destroyed  removes  one  of  the  vital  organs 
of  the  tree,  and  lessens  its  chances  of  living. 

After  removing  a  tree  that  has  been  growing  in  a  situ- 
ation for  one  year,  the  ends  of  all  such  cut  roots  will  be 
found  supplied  with  a  new  set  of  fibres ;  plainly  showing 
that  nature  has  endeavored  to  return  to  her  fixed  laws, 
relative  to  the  growth  of  plants. 

An  error  into  which  many  unpractised  planters  frequeut- 


26  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

ly  fall,  is  that  of  planting  large  trees ;  and  it  is  one  which 
we  consider  so  opposed  to  sound  common  sense,  that  it 
should  meet  with  cHsapproval  from  every  true  friend  of 
arboriculture.  We  are  well  aware  that  the  owner  of 
every  new  place  is  anxious  to  produce  what  is  usually 
known  as  an  immediate  effect,  and  therefore  he  at  once 
proceeds  to  plant  large  evergreens,  covering  his  grounds 
with  great,  unsightly  trees,  swaying  about  with  the  wind, 
and  in  most  cases  destitute  of  branchlets  or  leaves  on  the 
lower  limbs.  Such  a  system  as  this  may  produce  an  im- 
mediate eifect,  but  it  is  certainly  opposed  to  good  taste. 

Men  of  experience  seldom  desire  such  trees,  knowing 
full  well  the  baneful  effects  of  transplanting  large  ever- 
greens. In  almost  every  case  of  this  kind,  the  lower  limbs 
are  apt  to  die,  and  thus  greatly  disfigure  the  symmetry 
of  the  tree. 

The  Pine  family  proper,  in  such  cases,  invariably  shed 
their  foliage  on  all  the  lower  branches,  and  forever  after 
present  a  pitiable  sight. 

Young  and  healthy  plants,  when  carefully  taken  up  and 
as  properly  replanted,  are  never  subject  to  this  disfigure- 
ment, and  are  almost  certain  to  form  handsome  specimens. 

Before  leaving  this  subject,  we  desire  to  give  a  few  di- 
rections for  transplanting  young  seedling  evergreens  from 
the  woods.  Much  disappointment  very  frequently  results 
from  the  performance  of  this  operation,  notwithstanding 
it  should  be  entirely  successful  if  the  proper  conditions  are 
observed.  Such  seedlings,  it  is  well  known,  are  gener- 
ally found  in  moist,  shady  localities,  and,  as  is  very  reason- 
able to  suppose,  are  utterly  unable  to  withstand  the  heat 
of  the  sun  after  removal,  or  comparative  dryness  in  the  soil. 

After  digging  (not  pulling)  the  plants,  especial  care  is 
necessary  that  the  roots  be  properly  protected  and  not  al- 
lowed to  become  in  the  least  dry,  as  this  is  the  most  es- 
sential point  in  the  whole  transaction.  They  should  then 
be  carefully  packed  in  damp  moss,  with  numerous  holes  in 


SOIL   AND   PLANTING.  27 

the  box,  to  allow  free  circulation  of  air  and  prevent  de- 
composition. 

The  soil  in  planting  must  be  light  and  deep,  well  pulver- 
ized, and  in  a  shady  situation,  such  as  the  north  side  of 
a  building. 

The  plants  should  be  set  in  beds  very  thickly,  after  dip- 
ping the  roots  in  a  puddle  of  thin  mud.  As  a  covering 
we  prefer  evergreen  boughs,  raised  about  three  feet  above 
the  plants  on  a  rough  trellis  work.  In  this  manner  we 
have  succeeded  admirably  with  all  kinds  of  young  ever- 
greens, and  especially  with  Hemlock  Spruce  and  American 
Yew,  which  are  generally  considered  to  be  the  most  im- 
patient of  removal, 


CHAPTER    III. 

PROPAGATION. 

The  propagation  of  the  Coniferse  is,  perhaps,  the  most 
difficult,  and  the  least  understood,  of  that  of  any  order 
of  plants  grown  by  our  nurserymen.  The  vicissitudes 
of  a  changeable  and  severe  climate,  with  its  conse- 
quent cold  and  wet  winters,  followed  by  hot  and  dry  sum- 
mers, render  the  operation  extremely  precarious  and 
uncertain,  even  under  the  hands  of  the  most  experienced 
propagator.  Foreign  gardeners  upon  their  arrival  in  this 
country,  feel  confident  the  difficulties  have  been  overrated, 
and  therefore  proceed  in  the  course  practised  in  the  old 
country;  a  very  short  experience,  however,  convinces 
them  of  their  mistake,  and  compels  a  resort  to  artificial 
means  to  accomplish  what  they  have  been  accustomed  at 
home  to  leave  to  nature. 

Conifers  are  increased  by  the  seed,  by  cuttings,  layers, 
and  grafts. 

SEEDLIXGS. — "  A  seed,"  says  Lindley,  "  is  a  living  body 
separated  from  its  parent,  and  capable  of  growing  into  a, 
new  individual  of  the  same  species.  It  is  a  reproductive 
fragment,  or  vital  point,  containing  within  itself  all  the 
elements  of  life,  which,  however,  can  only  be  called  into 
action  by  special  circumstances."  It  is  important  to  know 
what  external  causes  affect  the  vitality  of  seeds,  and  in- 
duce or  retard  their  germination. 

A  seed  contains  a  delicate  little  embryo,  which  consists 
of  cotyledons  or  seed-leaves,  and  a  radicle  or  primary  stem, 
28 


PROPAGATION.  29 

in  a  quiescent  state,  always  ready  to  start  into  action  if  sub- 
jected to  certain  conditions  that  are  absolutely  necessary 
to  awaken  it  into  active  life.  The  structure  of  seeds,  par- 
ticularly in  the  thickness  of  their  integuments,  varies  so 
widely  in  the  different  species,  that  it  is  necessary  to  study 
closely  the  characteristics  of  each,  and  follow  a  distinct 
course  with  the  different  kinds.  For  instance,  many  acorns 
germinate  so  readily,  that  the  merest  contact  with  moist- 
ure is  sufficient  to  start  vegetation ;  but,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  seeds  of  Holly  and  others  with  hard  shells,  will  often 
lie  dormant  in  the  ground  for  three  and  four  years. 

The  embryo  in  many  of  the  Coni- 
fers differs  from  that  of  most  other 
exogenous  plants  in  having  more  than 
two  cotyledons,  or  seed-leaves.  While 
the  seedlings  of  some  present  only  two 
seed-leaves,  in  others  there  will  be  a 
whorl  of  several — sometimes  as  many 
as  fifteen.  Fig.  1  shows  a  young 
seedling  of  Norway  Spruce  just 
germinating. 

A  perfectly  ripened  seed  will  retain 
its  vitality  just  so  long  as  the  various 
substances     composing    it,    such    as 
starch,  oils,  etc.,  can  be  preserved  from 
decomposition.     For  this  reason  the 
seeds  of  Conifers  are  generally  difficult    Fig.  1.— GERMINATING 
to   preserve   unimpaired    for  a   long 
time,  owing  to  the  excess  of  oil  they  contain.     Seeds  pro- 
duced by  this  order  should,  invariably,  if  possible*  be 
allowed  to  remain  in  the  cones  until  wanted  for  planting, 
as  no  artificial  package  can  supply  the  place  of  these 
natural  receptacles. 

Darkness,  although  not  in  all  cases  a  necessary  condi- 
tion in  the  germination  of  seeds,  is,  however,  important ; 
as  in  the  absence  of  light  the  chemical  changes  take  place 


30  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

more  freely,  and,  consequently,  the  embryo  is  brought  into 
action  more  readily.  The  practice  of  old  gardeners  of 
placing  their  seeds  on  cotton  in  a  vessel  of  water,  for  the 
purpose  of  testing  their  vitality,  is  well  known ;  and  we 
have  seen  acorns,  while  on  the  parent  tree,  sprouting.  But 
these  are  only  illustrations  showing  how  readily  some 
seeds  germinate,  and  should  be  regarded  as  exceptions 
to  the  general  rule. 

If  seeds  of  the  Conifers  are  to  be  sent  long  distances, 
they  must  be  protected  from  contact  with  moisture, 
•whether  in  the  air,  or  in  the  packing  material.  An  excel- 
lent method  for  protecting  seeds  from  the  atmosphere  is 
to  place  them  in  a  tightly  corked  bottle ;  but  this  plan  has 
its  disadvantages  and  is  deprecated  by  many,  but  for  lim- 
ited periods  we  have  seen  excellent  success  result  from  it. 
Various  plans  and  suggestions  have  been  offered  by  men 
of  experience  for  transporting  seeds,  yet  none  are  entirely 
infallible.  Probably  the  best  method  is  that  recommended 
by  Prof.  Lindley.  He  says:  "Upon  the  whole,  the  only 
mode  which  is  calculated  to  meet  all  the  circumstances  to 
which  seeds  are  exposed  during  a  voyage,  is,  to  dry  them 
as  thoroughly  as  possible,  enclose  them  in  coarse  paper, 
and  to  pack  the  papers  themselves  very  loosely  in  coarse 
canvass  bags,  not  enclosed  in  boxes,  but  freely  exposed  to 
the  air ;  and  to  insure  their  transmission  in  some  dry,  well 
ventilated  place. 

"Thus,  if  the  seeds  are  originally  dried  incompletely, 
they  will  become  further  dried  on  their  passage ;  if  the 
seed-paper  is  damp,  as  it  almost  always  is,  the  moisture 
will  fly  off  through  the  sides  of  the  bags,  and  will  not 
stagnate  around  the  seeds."  The  same  authority  states  : 
"  For  seeds  containing  oily  matter,  which  are  peculiarly 
liable  to  destruction  (by  their  oil  becoming  rancid),  ram- 
ming in  dry  earth  has  been  found  advantageous."  Our 
own  experience  with  this  latter  plan  has  been  very  satis- 


PROPAGATION.  31 

factory ;  and  we  have  likewise  found  pure,  dry  sand  use- 
ful for  the  same  purpose. 

Warmth  and  moisture  are  the  principal  agents  that 
induce  germination,  but  a  superabundance  of  either 
just  as  readily  causes  decay.  The  moment  seeds  are 
placed  in  contact  with  moisture,  they  absorb  oxygen, 
the  starch  and  other  compounds  are  decomposed,  carbon- 
ic acid  is  given  off,  and  the  development  of  the  em- 
bryo plant  commences.  It  is  also  necessary  that  a 
certain  degree  of  heat  should  attend  the  operation,  and 
the  amount  varies  in  different  species  of  plants ;  there- 
fore no  definite  rule  can  be  given,  but  the  judgment 
of  the  propagator  must  be  exercised  to  prevent  an  excess, 
and,  what  is  equally  requisite,  preserve  a  sufficient  amount 
of  warmth  in  the  soil. 

Most  seeds  of  the  Coniferge  germinate  easily,  but  the 
young  plants  are  so  sensitive  to  adverse  circumstances, 
such  as  dampness,  heat,  drought,  etc.,  that  they  are  ex- 
ceedingly liable  to  be  lost  before  forming  their  true  leaves. 
This  is  the  critical  point  in  raising  seedlings ;  for,  after 
the  plumule  has  developed  into  leaves,  and  the  radicle 
has  formed  sufficient  fibres  to  nourish  the  young  plantlet, 
the  danger  is  chiefly  past  and  less  care  is  required  in  its 
growth. 

Seeds  should  always  be  sown  thinly  and  evenly  for  sev- 
eral reasons.  If  the  young  plants  stand  too  close  to  each 
other,  a  portion  are  shaded,  which  not  only  draws  them 
up  with  long  stems,  but  in  many  cases  destroys  them  en- 
tirely. The  stronger  also  abstract  the  nutriment  from  the 
soil,  to  the  detriment  of  the  weaker  plants,  and  the  latter 
very  soon  become  stunted  and  often  worthless. 

A  high  temperature  is  decidedly  unfavorable  to  the 
growth  of  seedling  Conifers,  and,  for  this  reason,  the  seed, 
when  planted  in  the  open  ground,  should  either  be  sown 
in  the  autumn,  or,  as  some  of  our  best  propagators  now 
prefer,  as  early  in  the  spring  as  the  frost  will  allow. 


32  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGKEEXS. 

These  observations  of  course  do  not  apply  to  natives  of 
tropical  climates,  for  the  temperature  in  growing  these 
must  be  so  graduated  as  to  suit  the  nature  of  the  plant. 
As  an  excess  of  moisture  is  one  of  the  greatest  evils  to  be 
guarded  against,  especial  care  must  invariably  be  taken 
that  the  soil  during  the  critical  season  is  only  sufficiently 
damp  to  preserve  the  young  seedling  from  wilting,  whilst 
the  humidity  in  the  atmosphere  (when  the  beds  are  covered 
with  sash)  may  be  maintained  by  syringing  slightly,  or 
watering  through  a  fine  rose.  In  fact,  water  should  never 
be  applied  in  large  quantities,  as  if  the  young  plants  were 
radishes  or  cucumbers,  but  as  gently  as  possible,  to  imitate 
an  invigorating  dew. 

Dry  ness,  on  the  other  extreme,  is  almost  sure  to  pro- 
duce decay;  for  when  young  evergreens  once  suffer  for 
want  of  moisture  in  the  soil,  they  rarely  recover,  and  oc- 
casionally the  sudden  transition  from  drought  to  damp- 
ness kills  them  almost  immediately. 

Although  a  large  proportion  of  the  seeds  produced  by 
the  Conifers  will  germinate  readily,  the  Yews  appear  to 
be  an  exception.  The  hard,  bony  integuments  of  their 
seeds  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Thorns,  and  conse- 
quently require  to  be  sown  immediately  after  gathering. 
Our  plan  is  to  wash  the  pulp  from  the  seed,  and  sow  at 
once  in  light,  sandy  soil,  cither  in  boxes  or  frames.  The 
English  method  is  to  throw  the  fruit  into  heaps,  when  the 
soft,  pulpy  disks  soon  rot,  and  the  seed  is  then  treated  as 
above.  Should  the  seeds  become  dry  before  sowing,  they 
will  frequently  lie  in  the  ground  for  two  and  even  three 
years  before  germination  takes  place. 

Seeds  of  the  Cypress  germinate  and  grow  in  a  few  weeks 
after  sowing,  but  the  Thujas,  if  not  sown  immediately 
after  ripening,  will  lie  in  the  ground  for  a  year.  Junipers, 
if  not  washed  from  their  pulpy  covering,  will  keep  for 
several  years ;  but  they  are  very  slow  about  sprouting, 
and  will  usually  lie  in  the  ground  for  two  years. 


PROPAGATION.  3l> 

A  peculiarity  of  the  cones  of  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  is 
the  length  of  time  necessary  to  perfect  them.  They  are 
generally  not  matured  until  the  third  year,  and  the  seeds 
will  keep  well  for  five  or  six  years  afterward,  provided 
they  are  left  undisturbed  in  the  cones. 

The  seeds  of  some  species  as,  for  instance,  those  of  the 
Cedar  of  Lebanon  and  several  species  of  Pines,  are  ex- 
tremely difficult  to  dislodge  from  the  cones.  When  this  is 
the  case,  the  cones  should  be  thrown  into  hot  water  for  a 
short  time,  which  will  loosen  the  scales,  or  a  \vedge  may 
be  driven  through  the  centre  and  the  seeds  obtained  from 
the  fragments.  In  the  use  of  hot  water,  great  care  should  be 
exercised  that  the  seeds  receive  no  injury.  Cones  are  also 
frequently  dried  in  the  sun,  or  placed  in  a  moderately 
warm  kiln  in  order  to  procure  the  seeds. 

Seeds  are  often  sown  too  deep,  and  perhaps  as  much  dis- 
appointment arises  from  this  cause  as  any  other.  Most 
seeds  of  the  Conifer®  require  but  a  light  covering,  say 
from  one-quarter  to  one-half  an  inch  in  depth. 

An  excellent  compost  for  growing  seedling  Conifers  is 
sods,  muck,  and  coarse  sand,  with  a  small  portion  of  old, 
well-rotted  manure ;  the  whole  thoroughly  incorporated, 
and  allowed  to  remain  in  a  heap  at  least  one  year  before 
using.  An  occasional  stirring  of  the  mass  is  advisable. 
This  should  never  be  run  through  a  sieve,  but  used  in  a 
rough  state,  simply  pulverizing  the  larger  lumps.  The 
idea  is  to  have  well-rotted,  fibrous  earth,  rich  in  vegetable, 
fertilizing  material,  coarse  and  light,  with  a  perfect  drain- 
age when  in  use. 

For  growing  the  common  varieties  of  evergreens,  all 
that  is  needed  is  a  simple  cold  frame  with  sash.  The  soil 
should  be  dug  in  the  autumn,  and  prepared  very  nicely  by 
working  sand  and  well-rotted  manure  through  it ;  but  nev- 
er, under  any  circumstances,  fresh  manure  from  the  stables. 
The  surface  should  then  be  raked  evenly  and  smoothly, 
and  the  seeds  thinly  sown.  We  prefer  pressing  them  into 
2* 


34  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

the  fresh  soil  with  the  back  of  the  spade,  and  covering 
with  a  thin  layer  of  earth,  then  moistening  with  water 
from,  a  fine  rose.  Care  must  be  taken  through  the  winter 
to  prevent  the  attacks  of  mice,  which  are  exceedingly 
partial  to  oily  seeds.  An  occasional  airing  on  mild  days 
will  be  beneficial ;  and  should  the  soil  become  dry,  a  slight 
sprinkling  will  be  necessary.  As  the  warm  days  of  spring 
approach,  the  young  seedlings  will  commence  showing 
themselves  above  ground,  and  the  attention  of  the  garden- 
er is  demanded  at  this  particular  period.  A  slight  lifting 
of  the  sashes  during  the  warmer  portions  of  the  day,  care- 
ful syringing,  and  an  occasional  watering,  will  be  neces- 
sary. As  the  plants  mature  their  wood,  the  sash  may  be 
dispensed  with,  for  the  critical  season  will  be  past. 

An  excellent  plan  for  groi/ing  rare  species  is  to  sow  the 
seeds  during  the  autumn  in  boxes  of  light,  sandy  loam,  that 
is  entirely  devoid  of  any  stimulating  manures,  care  being 
taken  that  the  seeds  are  placed  thinly  over  the  surface  and 
not  covered  too  deeply ;  also  that  the  boxes  have  perfect 
drainage.  By  placing  them  under  the  staging  of  a  cool 
green-house,  and  keeping  them  moderately  moist,  but  never 
wet,  the  young  plants  will  make  their  appearance  quite 
early  in  the  spring.  Especial  care  is  required  at  this 
critical  period  that  the  soil  be  neither  too  wet  nor  yet 
too  dry;  either  extreme  will  prove  fatal  to  the  seed- 
lings. One  year  old  plants  may  be  set  out  in  a  cold  frame, 
or  planted  singly  in  small  pots,  according  to  the  rarity 
of  the  kind. 

The  following  process,  as  recommended  by  T.  Meehan, 
Editor  .of  the  Gardener's  Monthly,  we  have  thoroughly 
tested  and  found  to  possess  unusual  merits : 

"  A  common  board  frame  is  placed  over  a  carefully  pre- 
pared bed  of  light  mould,  and  covered  with  shaded  hot- 
bed sash.  Under  each  corner  of  the  frame  is  placed  a 
prop,  raising  the  bottom  about  three  inches  above  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground.  The  advantages  of  this  contrivance 


PKOPAGATICXN".  35 

will  at  once  be  appreciated  when  we  consider  that  the  most 
essential  conditions  in  raising  evergreen  seedlings  are  to 
obtain  a  moist  atmosphere,  protection  from  the  direct  rays 
of  the  sun,  and  at  the  same  time  a  free  circulation  of  air 
through  the  plants." 

The  satisfactory  manner  in  which  the  above  plan  an- 
swers all  of  these  requisites,  the  small  amount  of  labor, 
and  little  expense  attending  it,  should  recommend  it  for 
general  use. 

CUTTINGS. — We  are  aware  that  cuttings  of  some  species 
of  plants  root  very  readily,  and  others  cannot  be  made  to 
grow  with  all  the  skill  and  attention  that  can  possibly  be 
bestowed  upon  them.  The  family  of  Conifers  furnishes  ex- 
cellent illustrations  of  both  the  above  extremes.  We  have 
noticed  trimmings  of  Siberian  Arbor  Vita3  that  had  been 
thrown  into  the  rubbish  heap,  rooting  in  the  refuse  mass, 
and  forming  young  plants  without  any  artificial  help ;  but 
on  the  other  hand,  the  Pines  are  exceedingly  difficult  to 
propagate  by  cuttings,  even  under  the  most  advantageous 
circumstances.  Occasionally  we  find  instances  in  the  same 
genus,  as  for  example  among  the  Junipers,  where  some  of 
the  species  are  propagated  by  the  thousands  from  cuttings, 
with  little  or  no  artificial  heat,  and  yet  others  invariably 
refuse  to  root  under  the  best  systems  known  to  gardeners. 

Among  the  Abietinem^  the  Pines  are  perhaps  the  most 
difficult  to  increase  by  cuttings ;  the  Larches  will  grow 
rather  more  easily  ;  the  Cedars  are  more  tractabl  e  still ; 
and  the  Spruces,  with  some  few  species  of  Firs,  the  most 
easy  of  the  sub-order.  The  Cunninghamia  is  not  very 
difficult  to  increase  by  cuttings,  but  the  Araucaria  we 
find  very  stubborn. 

In  the  Cupressinece,  all  the  members  root  more  or  less 
readily.  Commencing  with  the  American  Arbor  Vitse 
which  is  the  easiest  of  all  Conifers  to  root,  we  next  rank 
the  greater  portion  of  the  Junipers.  The  Chinese  Arbor 
Vitae,  (Biota,)  of  which  the  golden  variety  is  a  fair  exain- 


36  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

pie,  requires  more  heat,  and  our  best  propagators  very 
frequently  lose  a  large  proportion  of  their  cuttings.  The 
Thuiopsis  strikes  quite  readily.  The  Cypress,  Japan  Cedar 
(Gryptom&riaJ)  Mammoth  Tree  (Sequoia,}  and  Libo- 
cedrus,  are  quite  uncertain, — some  seasons  giving  us  a  few 
young  plants,  but  more  frequently  failing  badly. 

In  the  Taxinece,  or  drupaceous-fruited  Conifers,  the 
propagator  has  a  wide  and  interesting  field  for  experiment, 
as  they  can  all  be  grown  from  cuttings  with  varying  suc- 
cess. The  Yews,  ( Taxus^)  are  grown,  if  given  reasonable 
care,  with  possibly  one  exception, — the  Taxus  adpressa. 
The  Torreya,  Cephalotaxus,  Dacridium,  and  Podocarpus, 
are  rather  more  easily  rooted ;  and  the  Salisburia,  (a  de- 
ciduous-leaved genus,)  may  be  increased  with  profit  if 
sufficient  care  be  exercised.  In  every  genus,  however, 
there  are  always  some  species  more  tractable  than  others, 
although  depending  in  a  great  measure  on  the  state  of  the 
atmosphere  where  they  are  grown,  the  requisite  amount 
of  heat,  humidity,  etc.  This  can  only  be  ascertained  by 
trial,  as  it  varies  according  to  circumstances. 

As  a  rule,  all  plants  having  variegated  leaves  are  diffi- 
cult to  manage;  for,  whilst  the  Siberian  Arbor Vitae  roots 
by  mere  contact  with  warm  and  moist  earth,  the  varie- 
gated-leaved varieties  with  the  best  of  care  rarely  ever 
succeed.  To  this  statement,  however,  we  find  one  excep- 
tion, as  the  variegated  Yews  form  roots  much  sooner,  and 
with  less  attention,  than  any  others  of  the  sub-order 
Taxinece.  So  also  we  find  in  the  same  immediate  genus 
a  curious  problem  to  solve.  The  Abies  Menziesii  roots 
very  easily,  and  the  A.  Douglasii  and  A.  Canadensis 
act  just  the  reverse.  The  Biota  Orientalis  is  not  very 
difficult  to  propagate,  but  its  variety,  pendula,  is  most 
certain  to  "damp  off"  and  die.  The  Irish  Juniper  is 
quite  easy  to  manage,  and  yet  the  Chinese  species  will 
scarcely  ever  succeed  under  the  best  of  treatment.  Picea 
Fraseri  is  exceedingly  sensitive  of  the  moist  sand,  but  its 


PROPAGATION.  37 

variety,  Hudsonia,  roots  without  trouble ;  and  so  on  we 
might  multiply  cases,  but  the  above  sufficiently  exemplify 
our  meaning. 

We  now  notice  the  structure  for  producing  the  condi- 
tions to  ensure  success.  In  erecting  a  propagating  house, 
that  heated  by  hot  water  has  been  usually  considered  best 
adapted  for  evergreens.  It  not  only  gives  us  a  more  even 
temperature,  but  it  is  always  charged  with  moisture,  and 
this  the  evergreen  cutting  particularly  enjoys ;  but  an  ex- 
cess of  humidity  must  likewise  be  carefully  avoided,  to 
prevent  "  damping  off,"  an  evil  serious  in  its  nature  and 
greatly  to  be  dreaded.  We  merely  desire  sufficient  moist- 
ure to  overcome  the  frequently  dry  atmosphere  of  an  ar- 
tificially heated  apartment. 

In  the  case  of  hot  air  flues  being  used  for  heating  pro- 
pagating beds,  it  is  advisable  to  introduce  pans  filled  with 
water,  to  supply  the  necessary  humidity,  and  as  this  heat- 
ing arrangement  is  more  cheaply  constructed  than  the  hot 
water  tanks,  many  intelligent  gardeners  are  dispensing 
with  the  latter  altogether.  In  either  case,  it  is  desir- 
able to  have  the  least  amount  of  sand  that  can  be  used 
without  actually  allowing  the  base  of  the  cutting  to  touch 
the  boards  of  the  cutting  bench. 

Those  who  have  not  the  more  modern  conveniences  for 
striking  cuttings  may  succeed  reasonably  well  in  a  com- 
mon hot-bed ;  the  cuttings  are  first  placed  in  boxes  of 
sand  early  in  the  season,  and  then  allowed  to  stand  for 
some  time  in  a  cool  place  previous  to  applying  the  bottom 
heat.  This  method  may  do  for  the  Arbor  Yita3s,  and 
some  few  others  that  form  roots  easily.  Siberian  Arbor 
Vitse,  as  well  as  the  Tree  Box  (not  a  Conifer,)  will  often 
succeed  in  the  open  air  in  a  moist,  shady  spot ;  but  this 
cannot  be  relied  on  every  season,  and  never  sufficiently  to 
repay  the  commercial  grower. 

In  preparing  the  cutting  for  use,  there  is  one  important 
point  frequently  overlooked  by  propagators,  and  that  is  to 


38  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

use  ripened  wood  only.  We  have  often — we  may  say 
very  generally — noticed  after  a  few  weeks'  insertion  quite 
a  number  of  the  Irish  Juniper  cuttings,  for  instance,  turn- 
ing yellow,  and  the  lower  portion  in  a  state  of  decay. 
This  is  almost  always  attributed  to  the  use  of  unripe 
wood,  and  consequently  the  open  spaces  in  the  beds  might 
have  been  in  a  great  measure  avoided  by  throwing  such 
weak  succulent  growth  on  the  brush  heap.  Cuttings  are 
generally  prepared  too  small.  We  prefer  them  large  and 
vigorous,  with  all  the  immature  tips  removed  down  to  the 
ripened  wood ;  the  latter  being  easily  distinguished  by  the 
light-brown  color  of  the  bark,  whereas  the  younger  and 
unripened  shoots  are  of  a  pale  yellowish-green. 

The  cutting  with  a  heel,  Figure  2,  is  perhaps  the  best, 
and  should  always  be  selected  when  the  subject  is 
difficult  to  manage;  but  in  growing  the  easier 
kinds,  such  as  Arbor  Vitses  and  Junipers,  it  is  un- 
necessary and  expensive.  Although  opposed  to 
all  good  rules,  and  calculated  to  encourage  neg- 
ligence in  the  young  gardener,  yet  the  practice 
of  carefully  taking  off  every  leaf  on  the  lower 
end  of  the  cuttings  of  Irish  Junipers  is  super- 
fluous, and  maybe  avoided  where  time  is  every- 
thing to  the  energetic  nurseryman.  We  have 
always  been  careful  to  have  every  leaf  cut  off  as 
smoothly  as  possible,  and  never  to  allow  a  rough  or  jag- 
ged edge  to  appear  on  any  part  of  the  cutting ;  but  we 
feel  bound  to  confess  that  the  best  strike  we  ever  saw 
was  in  a  bed  of  cuttings  prepared  in  a  very  careless  man- 
ner, by  merely  placing  them  on  a  board  and  drawing  the 
blade  of  a  knife  close  along  the  stem,  severing  at  one  cut 
all  the  leaves.  Nevertheless,  we  believe  too  much  care 
cannot  be  exercised  in  making  a  smooth,  clean  cut  at 
the  base  of  the  shoot,  and  we  always  desire  the  knife  to  be 
as  sharp  and  smooth  as  possible.  Most  propagators  make 
this  lower  cut  squarely  across  the  wood,  but  we  prefer 


PROPAGATION.  39 

it  to  be  slightly  oblique,  as  shown  in  Figure  3.  Some 
Conifers  have  long  Recurrent  leaves,  adnate  to  the 
branches ;  or,  in  other  words,  the  base  of  the  leaf  is 
prolonged,  and  adheres  tightly  to  the  shoot  for 
some  distance  from  the  point  of  insertion.  When 
instances  of  this  kind  occur,  we  make  the  lower 
incisions  directly  beneath  two  opposite  leaves,  as 
in  Figure  4.  This  method  is  especially  applicable 
to  the  Cryptomeria,  etc.  Figure  5,  A,  represents 
a  cutting  of  Juniper  ready  for  placing  in  the  sand 
of  the  cutting  bench. 

Different  species  of  evergreens  often  require  en- 
tirely opposite  systems  of  management  during  the  rooting 
stage,  particularly  in  the  degree  of  heat  necessary  to  cause 
tile  formation  of  roots  without  injury  to  the  cutting.  The 
Golden  Arbor  Vitae  will  perhaps  endure  a  higher 
temperature  than  any  other;  also,  Cupressus 
Lawsoniana,  C.  Nbotlcaensis,  and  some  few 
others,  like  a  warm  place.  Junipers  do  not  relish 
so  strong  a  heat,  but  will  passively  endure  it, 
whilst  the  different  American  Arbor  VitaBS  always 
succeed  best  in  a  temperate  atmosphere.  How- 
ever, all  evergreen  cuttings  should  be  brought 
forward  by  degrees,  and  the  heat  raised  very 
gradually  in  all  instances.  A  sudden  change 
from  cold  to  heat  often  proves  disastrous. 

The  process  of  rooting  commences  first  by  gran- 
ulation, or  callusing,  which  is  followed  by  the  roots  and 
leaves  almost  simultaneously  developing  themselves.  It.  is 
therefore  of  primary  importance  that  the  cutting  should 
form  its  granulation  before  the  process  of  vegetation  be- 
comes active ;  and  this  is  only  accomplished  by  allowing 
it  to  be  in  a  cool  temperature,  for  a  short  time  previous 
to  being  forced.  The  callus  at  the  base  of  the  cutting  is 
shown  in  Figure  5,  .#,  and  in  (7,  of  the  same  figure,  the 
roots  have  commenced  to  form. 


THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 


Fig.  5. — PROPAGATION    BY  CUTTINGS. — A,    CUTTING    PREPARED;    B,    THE 
SAME  CALLUSED  ;  C,   THE  ROOTS  FORMING. 


PROPAGATION.  41 

The  most  successful  method  of  striking  cuttings  of  the 
Conifers  is  as  follows :  During  the  callusing  season  they 
should  be  preserved  cool,  and  the  buds  prevented  from 
swelling ;  but  when  the  action  of  the  sap  forces  the  growth 
of  the  cutting,  the  atmosphere  must  be  kept  moist 
and  warm.  The  waterings  and  syringings  should  also  be 
frequent,  but  care  must  be  taken  that  the  drainage  is  per- 
fect ;  otherwise,  they  will  assuredly  rot. 

The  callusing  process,  which  soon  ensues  after  heat  is 
applied,  is  no  criterion  that  the  cutting  is  about  to  root, 
as  they  will  frequently  stand  for  two  years  in  a  perfectly 
quiescent  state ;  the  large,  spongy  excrescence  at  the  bot- 
tom gradually  enlarging  until  it  has  to  be  removed  alto- 
gether. The  Yews  are  striking  examples  of  this  peculiarity, 
especially  the  T.  adpressa ;  and,  therefore,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  assisting  Nature  in  her  endeavors  to  form  these 
secondary  roots,  we  remove  a  portion  of  the  uncouth 
callus  by  making  a  smooth  perpendicular  cut  through  the 
mass,  and  frequently  roots  will  then  emanate  from  the  cut 
edges  in  a  short  tune. 

Evergreens  are  sometimes  grown  from  what  are  termed 
"  soft-wood  "  cuttings,  that  is,  the  young  wood  in  a  grow- 
ing state.  These  are  rarely  successful  if  taken  from  a 
plant  growing  in  the  open  air ;  but  when  the  old  plant 
forms  its  new  growth  under  glass,  the  shoots  are  then 
suitable  for  the  operation,  and  the  method  is  certainly 
desirable  for  increasing  our  stock  of  new  and  rare  trees. 
The  Lawson's  Cypress,  which  is  extremely  difficult  to 
grow  by  the  usual  mode,  succeeds  tolerably  well  under 
this  treatment.  The  proper  season  for  preparing  and 
setting  evergreen  cuttings  is  during  the  months  of  October 
and  November,  leaving  them  cool  and  passive  until  severe 
weather  sets  in,  when  the  heat  may  be  gradually  applied 
until  the  necessary  degree  shall  be  attained. 

In  conclusion  we  desire  to  add,  that  as  the  foregoing 
sketch  is  intended  only  as  a  guide  to  the  beginner,  he  will 


42  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

soon  learn  very  many  little  ideas  in  connection  with  the 
business  which  cannot  be  found  in  books.  Application 
and  energy  are  the  most  valuable  assistants,  and  with 
these  he  will  soon  become  expert. 

LAYERS. — As  this  method  is  so  seldom  practised  on  ev- 
ergreens, excepting  to  increase  the  dwarf,  trailing  species, 
or  an  occasional  limb  on  the  taller  kinds,  it  is  not  neces- 
sary to  devote  much  space  to  its  discussion.  The  usual 
mode  of  layering  deciduous  plants  is  also  practised  on 
these ;  and  as  an  additional  inducement  to  cause  the  forma- 
tion of  roots,  we  would  advise,  a  slight  covering  of  ever- 
green branches  as  a  protection  from  the  sun,  and  to  pre- 
vent a  too  sudden  evaporation  of  moisture  from  the  soil. 
A  sudden  twist  will  answer  the  purpose  of  checking  the  sap 
much  better  than  the  usual  method  of  tonguing.  As  a 
rule,  most  plants  with  variegated  leaves  are  difficult  to 
strike  from  cuttings,  so  that  we  are  obliged  to  resort  to 
other  modes.  In  such  cases  pots  or  boxes  may  be  elevat- 
ed to  a  level  with  the  branches  that  we  desire  to  operate 
on,  and  the  young  shoots  be  layered  in  them,  bearing  in 
mind  that  they  will  frequently  require  attention  to  prevent 
the  soil  from  becoming  too  dry.  A  protection  must  al- 
ways be  given  them,  as  mentioned  above. 

GRAFTING. — As  a  means  of  reproduction  among  ever- 
greens, grafting  is  the  most  difficult  and  least  certain  plan 
in  use.  In  the  moist,  even  temperature  of  France  and 
England,  it  is  prosecuted  with  great  success ;  but  our  va- 
riable climate  prohibits  the  use  of  it  to  any  great  extent. 
Under  glass,  where  the  temperature  can  be  regulated  to 
suit  the  operation,  grafting,  in  some  cases,  is  expedient. 

It  should  always  be  borne  in  mind  when  selecting 
stocks,  that  some  species  in  a  genus  are  more  closely  related 
than  are  others.  For  instance,  the  pines  are  generally  di- 
vided into  groups,  and  each  group  has  particular  charac- 
teristics, or  idiosyncracies,  that  bind  them  together. 

Taking  the  White  Pine  (P.  Strobus)  as  an  illustration, 


PROPAGATION. 


43 


we  find  that  this  and  the  P.  excelsa,  Pt  Lambertiana,  P. 
monticola,  and  others, 
have  many  peculiarities 
in  common.  They  have 
each  live  leaves  in  a 
sheath,  and  are  similar 
in  appearance.  Their 
cones  are  long,  with  the 
scales  not  thickened  at 
the  apex.  The  habit  of 
the  trees  is  also  much 
alike.  The  White  Pine 
serves  as  a  stock  for  all 
these.  So  with  the  Scotch 
Pine,  (Finns  sylvestris), 
which  is  suited  as  a  stock 
to  the  related  species  P. 
Banksiana,  P.  pumilio, 
P.  pungens,  and  others. 
The  following  method 
for  grafting  evergreens 
we  have  practised  for 
several  years,  and  con- 
sider it  the  most  certain 
and  easily  performed. 
Having,  during  the  pre- 
vious autumn,  potted  the 
plants  to  be  used  as 
stocks,  and  wintered 
them  in  a  cool  frame, 
they  may  be  gradually 
forced  into  growth  to- 
ward spring.  When  the 
buds  commence  to  swell, 
the  plant  is  in  a  suitable 
condition  for  the  operation. 


6. — GRAFTING  EVERGREENS. 


In  all  cases  the  graft  should 


44 


THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 


be  perfectly  dormant,  and  the  stock  in  a  slightly  growing 
condition.  Having  prepared  the  scion  by  smoothly  cutting 
the  lower  end  into  a  wedge-shape,  the  incision  is  then  made 
in  the  side  of  the  stock  with  a  clean,  smooth,  downward 
cut.  In  placing  the  scion  in  the  incision,  particular  care 
must  be  taken  that  the  bark  of  each  exactly  corresponds. 
The  grafts  should  be  tightly  fastened  by  strips  of  bass  bark, 
or  soft  woollen  strings,  and  the  whole  wound  completely 
covered  with  grafting  wax  or  waxed  paper.  This  kind  of 
grafting  is  shown  in  Figure  6,  the  tying  material  being 
omitted  in  order  to  show  the  manner  of  making  the  cut. 

The  plants  must  be  placed  in  a  cool,  shady  situation  for 
about  two  weeks,  and  then  gently  forced  on  a  mild  hot- 
bed with  the  glass  shaded ;  always  keeping  up  a  moist  at- 
mosphere by  frequent  syringing. 
The  pots  should  be  frequently  ex- 
amined to  prevent  excessive  dry- 
ness,  or  the  opposite  extreme,  either 
being  exceedingly  dangerous  to  the 
success  of  the  operation.  "When  the 
grafts  have  started  into  growth,  the 
strings  may  be  cut,  and  in  a  short 
time  the  stock  headed  down.  In 
the  engraving,  Fig.  6,  the  branches 
of  the  stock  are  represented  as  cut 
off,  merely  to  take  up  less  room  on 
the  page ;  it  is  only  when  the  graft 
shows  that  it  has  formed  a  union 
that  the  stock  is  cut  back,  and  then 
it  is  separated  by  a  smooth  cut  close 
to  the  point  of  insertion  of  the  graft. 

The  French  practise  grafting  evergreens  by  using  young, 
succulent  wood ;  but  in  this  country  success  is  much  more 
certain  with  the  foregoing  plan.  This  herbaceous  graft- 
ing is  performed  by  breaking  off  the  young,  brittle  wood 
of  the  stock  a  short  distance  below  the  terminal  bud,  and 


Fig.  7.— GRAFTING  WITH 
NEW  WOOD. 


PROPAGATION.  45 

preparing  the  graft  from  the  young  and  tender  wood  of 
the  species  to  be  propagated.  The  well-known  mode  of 
cleft  grafting  is  then  employed,  and  the  plant  shaded  from 
the  rays  of  the  sun  and  heavy  rains  until  the  two  are 
firmly  united.  Figure  7,  from  Dubreuil's  Arboriculture, 
illustrates  the  operation.  The  wood,  both  in  the  stock 
and  graft,  should  have  acquired  a  little  toughness  before 
using,  but  should  not  be  fully  ripened. 

We  have  seen  excellent  success  in  grafting  Arbor  Yi- 
ta3S  in  the  open  air,  by  the  common  method  of  cleft  graft- 
ing. The  stock  in  this  instance  is  headed  down  close  to 
the  ground ;  and  after  performing  the  operation,  the  earth 
is  drawn  closely  around,  leaving  the  upper  portion  of  the 
graft  only  above  the  surface.  An  occasional  wetting  will 
be  sufficient  to  start  it  into  action.  Other  methods  are 
practised  by  gardeners,  but  differ  only  in  minor  details 
from  these  described. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

PRUNING    AND    AFTER-MANAGEMENT. 


With  fruit  trees,  "summer  pinching,  as  well  as  limb  and 
root  pruning,  are  often  resorted  to  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
ducing fruitfulness ;  but  in  the  case  of  ornamental  trees, 
pruning  is  seldom  necessary,  except  to  preserve  a  sym- 
metrical shape  and  to  remove  all  unhealthy  or  dead 
branches. 

The  entire  system  of  pruning  a  Conifer  depends  very 
much  upon  the  same  principles  that  govern  the  trees  of 
other  classes,  with  the  exception  that  almost  every  species 
of  the  Conifers  has  a  tendency  to  the  conical  form,  and 
this  peculiarity  should  therefore  always  be  encouraged 
during  the  trimming  process. 

Many  a  cultivator,  through  a  mistaken  idea  of  beauty, 
utterly  spoils  his  trees  by  pruning  off  the  lower  branches, 
and  thus  forming  a  long,  naked  body  to  the  tree,  most 
disagreeable  to  the  eye  of  an  intelligent  planter. 

In  pruning  the  branches  of  an  evergreen,  always  select 
a  strong  bud  to  cut  back  to,  thus  allowing  a  chance  for 
the  limb  to  start  apparently  from  the  end  bud,  and  thus  pre- 
vent the  artificial  means  that  have  been  employed  from  be- 
ing observed.  An  excellent  plan  to  preserve  a  perfect  shape, 
is  to  extract  the  centre  bud  from  any  shoot  that  projects 
beyond  the  proper  limits.  The  remaining  buds  will  form 
branches  which  are  induced  to  spread  apart,  and  in  a  dif- 
46 


PRUNING   AND   AFTER-MANAGEMENT.  47 

ferent  direction  from  the  one  to  which  the  leader  or  main 
shoot  inclined.  This  method  of  extracting  buds  is  also 
successfully  followed  to  produce  a  more  dense  growth  in 
many  evergreens  that  are  naturally  of  an  open  habit. 

Many  of  the  upright  growing  Junipers  as,  for  instance, 
e/i  communi^,  and  its  varieties,  Hibernica,  Suedca, 
etc.,  are  greatly  benefited  by  an  annual  pruning  of  the 
over-luxuriant  bran chlets,  thereby  causing  them  to  thicken, 
and  otherwise  vastly  improve  in  appearance.  When  the 
leader  or  main  stem  of  a  Conifer  becomes  destroyed  by 
accident  or  otherwise,  a  new  one  may  readily  be  formed  by 
tying  up  a  lateral  in  as  nearly  an  upright  position  as  pos- 
sible. All  of  the  species  evidently  endeavor  to  supply  the 
loss  either  from  a  dormant  bud,  or,  in  many  instances,  from 
a  prominent  one  on  a  side  branch;  but  it  is  too  often  the 
case  that  two  leaders  will  start  and  cause  a  distortion, 
which  is  often  observed  in  so-called  ornamental  trees. 
The  strongest  should  be  selected  to  remain,  and  the  others 
cut  away  as  soon  as  noticed. 

When  a  tree  is  disposed  to  lean  upon  one  side,  a  suitable 
contrivance  to  remedy  the  defect  is  to  fasten  one  end  of  a 
strong  wire  to  the  main  body  of  the  tree  near  the  top, 
and  secure  the  other  end  to  a  stout  stake  driven  into  the 
ground  a  short  distance  off,  taking  care  to  wrap  the  body 
of  the  tree  with  some  soft  substance,  to  preserve  the  bark 
from  injury. 


CHAPTER  V. 

EVERGREEN  HEDGES, 


Nothing,in  our  opinion,  is  so  peculiarly  attractive  in  a  well 
kept  place,  as  an  evergreen  hedge  neatly  and  frequently 
trimmed; 'and  nothing  really  injures  the  appearance  of 
a  place  more  than  one  that  is  neglected  and  allowed  to 
grow  at  will.  Either  as  an  ornamental  boundary,  or  for  a 
protective  screen,  no  class  of  plants  can  equal  those  with 
persistent  or  evergreen  leaves.  Always  green  and  cheer- 
ful throughout  the  whole  year,  an  impassable  barrier  to 
winds  and  storms,  easily  clipped,  and  remarkably  beauti- 
ful when  properly  cared  for,  of  rapid  and  dense  growth, 
and  comparatively  free  from  disease,  they  comprise  indeed 
nearly  all  the  requisites  needed  for  a  hedge. 

True,  they  cannot  be  formed  into  a  defensive  barrier 
against  the  incursions  of  unruly  cattle  and  the  depreda- 
tions of  the  fruit  stealer ;  but  in  beautifying  our  homes  and 
endeavoring  to  create  additional  attractions  in  their  sur- 
roundings, we  desire  something  more  than  the  merely 
practical ;  and  we  therefore  insist  that  there  can  be  no 
place,  however  small,  but  what  may  receive  an  added 
charm  by  the  introduction  of  a  neat  evergreen  hedge,  such 
as  we  have  described.  Such  improvements  are  invariably 
associated  with  good  taste  and  refinement. 

Evergreen  hedges  may  very  properly  be  divided  into 
two  distinct  classes,  which,  in  the  planting,  selection  of 
varieties,  and  after-management,  differ  very  essentially 
48 


EVERGREEN   HEDGES.  49 

from  each  other :  first,  those  intended  strictly  for  shelter 
or  to  conceal  unsightly  objects ;  and  secondly,  the  true 
ornamental  hedge.  The  former  requires  less  care,  and  is 
intended  mainly  for  the  unfrequented  portion  of  the 
grounds,  and  very  frequently  needs  no  attention,  excepting 
an  occasional  clipping  of  the  stronger  branches  and  a  head- 
ing-in  of  the  taller  plants. 

What  is  needed  more  particularly  in  a  screen  or  barrier 
to  break  the  force  of  storms,  is  a  strong  growing,  hardy 
species  that  is  not  easily  affected  by  the  wind,  and  such 
we  find  in  the  hardier  class  of  Pines  and  Spruces ;  as  the 
White,  Scotch,  and  Austrian  Pines,  and  Norway  Spruce. 

Although  we  find  the  common  Red  Cedar  (J.  Virgini- 
ana),  Chinese  Arbor  Yitse  (JSiota  orient alis),  and  the 
common  Juniper  (Juniperus  communis),  occasionally  rec- 
ommended for  this  purpose,  we  are  compelled  to  discour- 
age their  use  owing  to  their  unfortunate  habit  of  dying  out 
near  the  base,  and  thus  disfiguring  the  symmetry  of  the 
screen  as  well  as  opening  a  passage  for  the  cold  winds. 
This  may  not  be  the  case  throughout  the  West,  and  indeed 
Dr.  Warder,  in  his  work  on  Hedges  and  Evergreens, 
maintains  the  contrary  opinion;  but  in  the  Eastern  States 
we  have  frequently  noticed  this  drawback  to  their  culture. 
The  late  William  Reid,  of  Elizabeth,  K.  J.,  than  whom  no 
more  skillful  hedge-grower  could  possibly  be  found,  stated 
to  the  writer  that  these  plants  would  never  answer  the 
purpose,  and  that  after  several  years  of  patient  trial  he  had 
entirely  given  them  up.  The  American  ArJ^or  Vitae 
( Thuja  occidentalis)  affords  an  excellent  protective  screen, 
in  a  small  place ;  but  on  an  extensive  scale,  we  prefer  the 
Pines  and  Spruces. 

The  true  ornamental  hedge,  to  please  the  eye  by  its  sym- 
metrical proportions,  and  richness  of  color,  should  receive 
a  full  amount  of  care  and  attention,  for  the  neglect  of  one 
season  will  very  frequently  cause  it  to  become  disfigured 
3 


50  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEKGREENS. 

to  such  a  degree  as  to  require  several  years  to  rectify  the 
damage  caused  by  the  reraissness. 

After  determining  the  location  for  the  hedge,  the  ground 
should  be  plowed  or  dug  deeply,  about  four  feet  (or  even 
more)  in  width,  and  the  plants  set  along  the  centre  of 
the  pulverized  strip.  The  proper  distance  apart  for  the 
plants  will  be  determined  in  a  great  measure  by  their  size 
and  the  species  used.  We  prefer  the  height  from  12  to  15 
inches  for  Arbor  Yitse,  Hemlock,  and  other  plants  of  me- 
dium and  slender  growth.  In  large  screens,  this  distance 
must  be  modified,  and  the  plants  set  three,  four,  and  even 
a  greater  number  of  feet  apart,  according  to  the  required 
density  of  the  screen. 

Nothing  further  is  needed  during  the  first  season  than 
to  trim  off  the  tops  of  the  larger  plants,  or  an  occasional 
side  shoot,  that  projects  out  further  than  the  main  portion 
of  the  hedge.  Always  bear  in  mind  that  the  ground  must 
be  kept  scrupulously  clear  of  weeds,  and  be  frequently 
stirred.  Mice  very  often  attack  a  neglected  hedge,  but 
very  seldom  a  clean,  well  cultivated  one.  In  stirring  the 
soil,  the  hoe  or  cultivator  should  not  run  so  deeply  as 
to  destroy  the  numerous  small  rootlets  with  which  the 
ConiferaB  are  so  abundantly  furnished.  "We  usually  scat- 
ter a  slight  dressing  of  well-rotted  manure  over  the  sur- 
face of  the  soil  during  the  winter,  and  thus  at  the  same 
time  protect  the  roots  and  furnish  nutriment  for  the  ensu- 
ing season's  growth. 

The  second  year  the  plants  ought  to  make  a  reasonable 
growth,  and  a  clipping  during  the  summer  will  be  requir- 
ed in  addition  to  the  regular  autumnal  shearing.  If  in- 
clined to  grow  strongly,  a  frequent  trimming  will  be  ben- 
eficial, as  it  should  always  be  the  aim  of  the  cultivator  to 
produce  an  impenetrable  mass  of  foliage,  especially  at  the 
base  of  the  hedge.  The  requisite  shape  should  also  be 
given  as  soon  as  circumstances  will  permit. 

"We  prefer  the  curvilinear  form  for  many  reasons,  the 


EVERGKEEtf  HEDGES.  51 

most  practical  of  which  is  its  ability  to  shed  a  heavy 
weight  of  snow  that  would  otherwise  adhere,  and,  by 
pressing  out  the  side  branches,  mar  the  beauty  of  the 
hedge.  Novices  must  always  bear  in  mind  that  it  is  very 
easy  to  produce  a  tall  hedge,  but  to  form  one  with  a  close, 
broad  bottom,  requires  frequent  trimming,  and  a  proper 
amount  of  attention  ;  for  after  the  hedge  is  grown,  this  can- 
not be  accomplished.  In  after  years,  when  the  hedge  ar- 
rives at  its  required  height,  all  that  will  be  necessary  is  the 
frequent  use  of  the  shears,  and  due  attention  to  keep  the 
weeds  and  other  strong  growing  plants  clear  from  the  row. 

SEASON    FOR    PRUNING    CONIFERS. 

Many  intelligent  cultivators  utterly  disregard  all  set 
times  for  performing  this  important  operation,  under  the 
belief  that  the  best  season  to  trim  is  when  they  have  the 
most  time  to  devote  to  it.  There  is,  no  doubt,  an  advan- 
tage to  be  gained  by  this  course,  but  there  are  principles 
that  govern  this  operation,  as  well  as  those  of  planting, 
propagating,  etc. 

In  a  young  hedge,  for  the  first  two  or  three  years,  we 
do  not  desire  to  trim  severely,  as  the  object  should  be  to 
encourage,  not  weaken  the  growth,  and  consequently  our 
own  practice  has  been  to  cut  them  but  once  in  the  season, 
say  in  October,  and  when  the  young  shoots  have  ripened, 
but  not  by  any  means  after  freezing  weather  sets  in.  One 
main  reason  for  not  pruning  late  in  the  autumn  is,  that  after 
the  external  portion  of  the  hedge  is  removed,  the  inner 
and  weaker  parts  are  then  exposed,  which,  being  in  a  very 
tender  state,  are  liable  to  become  injured  by  evaporation 
and  sudden  changes  of  temperature.  In  an  older  hedge, 
the  object  in  pruning  is  to  weaken  growth,  and  this  is 
best  gained  by  pruning  early  in  the  month  of  June. 
At  that  season  the  unmatured  shoots  are  suddenly  checked 
by  being  cut  back,  and  the  growth  weakened  very  mate- 


52  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

rially  in  consequence.  A  second  trimming  is  also  given 
the  hedge  in  October,  to  bring  it  into  shape. 

The  same  principle  governs  the  pruning  of  specimen 
evergreens.  When  we  wish  to  weaken  the  growth,  trim 
the  young  shoots  early  in  the  season ;  but  on  the  contrary, 
if  we  desire  a  stronger  growth,  cut  back  in  the  autumn 
after  the  shoots  are  ripened. 

Observation  and  practice  will  soon  teach  the  operator 
many  facts  in  relation  to  this  subject  that  cannot  be 
learned  in  any  other  way,  as  much  depends  upon  the  ob- 
ject we  desire  to  accomplish. 


CHAPTER    YT. 

DISEASES     OP      CONIFERS. 

The  diseases  incident  to  this  order  of  plants  are  compar- 
atively very  few,  and,  as  a  general  rule,  mostly  confined 
to  a  few  species,  and  restricted  probably  to  certain  condi- 
tions of  the  atmosphere  and  soil.  The  causes  that  influ- 
ence the  appearance  and  dissemination  of  a  portion  of 
these  evils  are  not  at  present  sufficiently  understood; 
nevertheless  we  will  give  the  most  approved  views  on  the 
subject,  hoping  thereby  to  induce  more  careful  experiments 
which  shall  tend  to  counteract  the  direful  effects  of  at  least 
a  part  of  these  maladies. 

As  already  stated,  a  rich  soil  abounding  in  organic  ma- 
nures, is,  no  doubt,  one  of  the  chief  causes  that  produce 
unhealthiness  in  coniferous  trees,  by  inducing  a  strong  suc- 
culent growth  which  rarely  allows  the  young  tree  sufficient 
time  to  mature  its  wood,  and  consequently,  if  not  killed 
by  the  severe  cold,  it  very  frequently  becomes  in  a  man- 
ner diseased,  and  after  lingering  a  few  years  ultimately  dies. 

Another  source  of  disease,  and  one  also  to  which  we 
have  already  called  attention,  is  that  of  an  imperfectly 
drained  soil.  Disease  often  occurs  to  the  tree  from  this 
very  simple,  yet  baneful  cause,  which  will  eventually  de- 
stroy its  life,  although  oftentimes  it  may  linger  for  several 
years,  gradually,  though  surely,  approaching  its  death. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  three-fourths  of  the  diseases  com- 
mon to  this  family  arise  from  the  two  causes  just  alluded 
to ;  an  unhealthy  condition  is  indicated  by  the  appearance 
53 


54  THE   BOOK   OF  EVERGREENS. 

of  moss,  lichens,  and  numerous  fungi  on  the  bark,  but  these 
are  undeniably  the  effect,  and  not  the  cause,  thereof. 

We  frequently  find  evergreens  making  short  annual 
growths  and  losing  the  foliage  on  the  young  wood,  or,  per- 
haps, the  bark  is  covered  with  lichens,  and  the  leaves  with 
minute  parasites;  yet  the  primary  cause  that  produces 
this  state  of  unhealthiness  is  not  apparent.  To  counter- 
act these  diseases,  we  must  consequently  commence  at  the 
foundation  and  search  for  and  remove  the  cause,  when  all 
the  outward  forms  incidental  thereunto  will  surely  dis- 
appear. 

Among  the  most  mysterious  causes  of  death  in  the  Con- 
iferae,  is  that  of  blight,  which  has  heretofore  been  gen- 
erally confined  to  the  White  Pine,  (JPinus  fitrobus,)  and  a 
few  allied  species.  So  insidious  is  its  approach  that  we 
scarcely  have  become  aware  of  its  presence  before  the  tree 
is  lost.  Plants  that  are  to  all  outward  appearances  per- 
fectly healthy,  suddenly  turn  yellow,  the  foliage  whitish, 
and  death  in  a  very  short  time  ensues.  This  is  the  more 
trying,  as  other  plants  closely  adjoining  still  continue  to 
thrive  luxuriantly,  and  by  their  rich,  dark  green  foliage 
lull  us  into  fancied  security,  and  then  perchance  fol- 
low the  course  of  their  departed  companions  in  a  few 
weeks.  The  requirements  of  the  Sir  obi  group  of  Pines 
differ  widely  from  those  of  any  other,  and  demand  certain 
conditions  in  the  soil,  to  prevent  disease  and  promote  a 
healthy  growth.  They  will  not  succeed  in  a  wet,  undrain- 
ed  situation ;  but  if  light  and  dry,  their  future  success  may 
safely  be  depended  on. 

The  most  rational  cause  that  we  can  assign  for  the  ap- 
pearance of  blight  in  the  family  of  Conifers,  is  that  due 
to  a  too  luxuriant  growth. 

One  of  the  newer  diseases  prevalent  among  evergreens, 
and  one  from  which  the  Stroll  group  of  Pines  is  singu- 
larly and  entirely  exempt,  manifests  itself  as  follows : 
Early  in  the  autumn  a  few  minute  spots  are  noticed  at  the 


DISEASES    OF   CONIFERS.  55 

apex  of  the  leaves,  which  gradually  extend  downward  to 
the  base,  until  they  cover  almost  the  entire  surface.  The 
leaves  finally  become  so  diseased  as  to  fall  off,  thus  leaving 
a  long,  bare  branch,  either  completely  destitute  of  foliage, 
or  occasionally  with  a  small  tuft  of  reddish-brown  leaves 
at  the  extremity.  We  have  noticed  that  until  very  re- 
cently, trees  growing  on  low,  damp  grounds,  where  there 
was  imperfect  drainage,  were  always  attacked  first.  Es- 
pecially was  this  the  more  clearly  shown  in  nursery  rows, 
where  we  would  observe  a  few  trees  standing  in  a  spot 
where,  during  winter  particularly,  there  was  stagnant  wa- 
ter about  the  roots,  and  whilst  these  trees  would  be  gradu- 
ally dying  with  this  mysterious  malady,  others  in  the 
adjoining  rows  would  be  perfectly  free  from  its  effects. 

Within  the  past  year,  however,  this  disease  has  become 
less  fastidious  in  its  selection  of  situations,  and  has  assum- 
ed more  of  the  character  of  an  epidemic,  spreading  to 
trees  that  were  growing  in  soils  exactly  the  opposite  in 
nature  to  the  above.  We  have  lately  observed  its  appear- 
ance on  a  number  of  Pinus  Austriaca,  and  P.  Laricio, 
standing  on  a  dry,  gravelly  hill-side,  where  the  surface 
had  been  washed  away  by  the  heavy  rains. 

To  these  two  extremes  of  unsuitable  soils  this  disease  is 
almost  entirely  confined,  and  rarely  can  it  be  observed  in 
such  pines  as  are  growing  in  well  prepared  ground. 

After  having  examined  and  patiently  studied  this  un- 
healthy state  of  the  tree,  from  the  first  intimation  of  dis- 
ease through  its  various  stages  until  death  ensues,  we  are 
obliged  to  admit  that  we  cannot  make  any  positive  state- 
ments in  regard  to  its  cause  or  eradication.  In  the  disease 
under  consideration,  small  spots  are  perceived  on  the  leaf 
of  the  Pine,  which  spread  rapidly  until  they  cover  the 
whole  surface.  Under  a  good  lens,  these  spots  are  discov- 
ered to  be  a  very  minute  fungoid  plant,  which,  finding  a 
suitable  condition  for  its  growth,  speedily  destroys  the 


56  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

leaf.  As  all  vegetable  productions  when  in  a  perfectly 
healthy  state,  are  free  from  the  numerous  parasitic  growths 
that  are  common  to  diseased  plants  or  trees,  therefore, 
when  any  appearance  of  the  lower  order  of  Cryptogamia, 
such  as  fungi,  mosses,  and  lichens,  becomes  visible,  some- 
thing must  be  assuredly  wrong  in  the  functions  of  the 
plant  itself.  This  parasitic  vegetation  is  not  the  primary 
cause  of  ill-health,  as  some  imagine,  and  hence  the  mis- 
chief is  performed  before  these  outward  forms  become  ap- 
parent ;  and  although  these  are  charged  with  being  the 
prime  instigators,  they  are  in  reality  but  the  effect  of  dis- 
ease previously  contracted  by  the  tree. 

The  species  that  we  have  found  to  be  most  easily  af- 
fected, are  the  Pinus  Austriaca,  P.  Laricio,  P.  Pyrenaica, 
P.  Pallasiana,  with  perhaps  a  few  others ;  and  in  every 
case  the  diseased  trees  were  members  of  the  two-leaved 
group  of  Pines. 

The  disease  known  as  Etiolation,  or  blanching,  entirely 
destroys  the  verdure  of  plants,  and  renders  them  pale  and 
sickly.  This  arises  from  an  insufficiency  of  light.  It  is 
mostly  observed  on  such  plants  as  are  growing  in  the  dense 
shade  of  trees ;  but  may  occur  from  a  variety  of  causes, 
such  as  insects  nestling  in  the  rootlets  and  consum- 
ing the  food  of  the  plant,  thus  debilitating  the  leaf  so  as 
to  render  it  insusceptible  to  the  action  of  the  light ;  or  the 
same  appearance  may  arise  from  extreme  poverty  of  the 
soil.  It  is  not  prevalent,  and  in  the  majority  of  instances 
may  be  easily  detected  and  remedied. 

Gangrene,  however,  is  of  a  different  nature,  and  is 
mostly  confined  to  the  half-hardy  plants,  or  such  as  are 
easily  affected  by  sudden  changes  of  the  atmosphere.  It 
is  mainly  attributable  to  two  causes,  the  one  arising 
from  an  excessively  high  degree  of  temperature,  the  other, 
from  extreme  cold.  A  very  low  temperature  destroys  or 
shrivels  the  .green  leaves  and  shoots,  turning  them  to  a  dark 


DISEASES   OP   CONIFERS.  57 

brown  color ;  and  so  will  excessive  heat  destroy  their  vi- 
tality. A  too  rapid  growth  of  a  particular  branch  will 
very  frequently  deprive  the  one  adjoining  of  its  due  share 
of  nourishment,  and  death  ensues.  Again,  certain  winds 
have  a  disastrous  effect  on  the  young  shoots ;  or  the  early 
frosts  of  spring  deprive  them  of  life. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

INSECTS     INJURIOUS    TO    CONIFERS. 

Coniferous  trees  have  some  insects  peculiar  to  themselves, 
and  they  are  also  preyed  upon  by  those  that  are  found  as 
well  upon  a  number  of  deciduous  trees.  We  shall  briefly 
describe  the  most  troublesome  of  these,  and  give  some 
hints  towards  ridding  our  collections  of  these  destructive 
pests. 

The  Drop-worm,  or  Basket-worm,  ( Oiketicus  conifer- 
arum,  of  Harris;  or  Thyridopterix 
ephemcereformis. — The  larva  of  this  in- 
sect surrounds  itself  by  a  case,or  "basket," 
constructed  of  the  leaves  of  the  trees  on 
which  it  feeds.  These  cases  are  very 
tough,  and  likewise  difficult  to  displace 
from  the  twig  to  which  they  are  at- 
tached. Fig.  8  shows  the  case,  and  Fig.  9 
the  larva  removed  from  it.  When  feed- 
ing, the  worm  fastens  its  curious  little 
house  to  a  twig  by  means  of  a  few  silken 
threads,  which  are  removed  and  refasten- 
ed  at  pleasure.  They  will  also  drop 
from  one  limb  to  another  by  means  of  these  threads,  and 
commence  their  work  of  destruction  in  a  fresh  place. 

This  terrible  little  pest,  now  be- 
coming so  well  known  in  this 
country,  was  only  discovered  here 
a  comparatively  few  years  ago,  and 
the  above  name  was  given  it  by  Prof. 

Harris.     Although  his  description  would  lead  one  to  infer 
58 


INSECTS    INJURIOUS   TO    CONIFEEJ3.  59 

that  it  confined  its  ravages  to  the  Conifers  alone,  it  never- 
theless depredates  severely  on  many  of  the  deciduous 
trees.  It  is  particularly  troublesome  on  the  Arbor  Vitaes, 
and  in  a  very  short  time  will  completely  demolish  every 
vestige  of  foliage  on  the  plant.  We  have  also  seen  its 
silken  cases  very  numerous  on  the  Larch  and  the  Decidu- 
ous Cypress,  as  well  as  on  the  Plemlock  Spruce. 

The  little  insects  are  exceedingly  numerous,  and  rapidly 
multiply  if  not  destroyed  when  first  observed.  The  young 
worm  is  quite  timid,  and  upon  the  least  noise  or  disturb- 
ance of  any  kind,  immediately  withdraws  into  its  cover- 
ing, which  closes  up  tightly  at  each  end,  thus  securely  pro- 
tecting it. 

The  female  is  without  wings,  and  never  leaves  her  chrys- 
alis until  her  approaching  dissolution,  which  takes  place 
after  depositing  her  eggs  in  this  singu- 
lar, basket-like  case.  The  male  moth 
is  at  least  J  inch  in  length,  of  a  dark 
brownish  color,  and  is  extremely  shy 
and  impatient  of  confinement.  Its 
ordinary  shape  is  shown  in  Figure  10 ; 
it  has  the  power  of  extending  its  abdomen  after  the  man- 
ner of  a  telescope,  as  seen  in  Figure  11.  Immediately 
upon  hatching,  early  in  the  spring,  the 
little  worms  scatter  over  the  sur- 
rounding foliage,  and  each  soon  pre- 
pares a  little  basket  for  itself,  which 
is  enlarged  as  its  occupant  needs 
more  space.  The  only  method  of 
eradicating  them  is  to  pick  the  nests, 
or  baskets,  off  by  hand,  and  dc- 
stroy  them  by  burning  or  otherwise. 

Galls* — We  have  noticed,  of  late,  curious  resinous  galls 
or  excrescences  on  the  ends  of  the  shoots  of  some  Pines, 
and  particularly  on  the  Scotch  Pine,  which  may  possibly 
belong  to  the  Tortrix,  or  some  allied  genera.  Its  manner 


60  THE    BOOK    OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

of  living  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  Orthotcenia.resin- 
ella,  of  Linnaeus,  a  European  moth,  described  and  figured 
in  London's  Arboretum,  Vol.  IV,  page  2146.  As  no  cer- 
tainty has  been  arrived  at  in  regard  to  the  correct  nomen- 
clature of  this  species,  we  are  unable  to  pronounce  it  new, 
although  Kollar,  Harris,  Fitch,  etc.,  evidently  do  not  de- 
scribe it.  In  particular  seasons  and  localities  they  become 
quite  numerous,  and  large  numbers  of  these  resinous  balls 
may  be  noticed,  always  on  the  extreme  end  of  a  main 
branch,  or  frequently  and  disastrously  on  the  main  shoot 
of  the  tree.  The  eggs  are  deposited  at  the  base  of  the 
bud,  and  the  worm  bores  downward  for  some  distance  in- 
to the  branch. 

These  gall-like  excrescences  are  caused  by  the  exuding 
resin,  and  often  increase  to  the  size  of  two  inches  in  diameter. 

The  moth  is  usually  quite  small,  of  a  dull  lead  color, 
with  broad,  entire,  fore  wings,  which  form  a  triangle  with 
the  body  when  at  rest,  slightly  deflexed  at  the  sides  and 
dilated  towards  the  shoulders. 

The  only  plan  to  destroy  them  is  to  examine  these  ex- 
crescences early  in  the  autumn  and  dislodge  the  worm,  or, 
if  left  until  spring,  the  shoot  should  be  cut  away  and 
burned. 

Plant-lice. — The  family  of  Plant-lice,  or  Aphidce,  are 
mostly  so  minute  as  to  be  scarcely  perceptible  to  the  nak- 
ed eye,  and  yet  they  frequently  appear  in  such  immense 
numbers  as  to  destroy  the  plants  in  a  short  time.  These 
insects  cause  the  foliage  on  the  younger  twigs  to  curl  up 
tightly,  and  may  on  this  account  be  very  readily  detected. 
Prof.  Stauffer,  of  Lancaster,  has  detected  an  undescribed 
species  feeding  on  the  Norway  Spruce.  Its  proboscis  is 
much  longer  than  its  body.  Another  species  has  lately 
been  found  with  a  shorter  proboscis,  and  differing  very  es- 
sentially from  the  above.  A  third  species,  and  distinct 
from  both  the  foregoing,  has  a  woolly  appearance,  and  is 
found  on.  the  branches .  of  .evergreens.  In  England,  the 


INSECTS   INJTJEIOTJS   TO   CONIFERJ2.  61 

Aphis  juniperi  is  mentioned  as  infesting  the  various  Juni- 
per as  well  as  a  species  of  Thrips  (Thrips  juniperi.)  To 
completely  destroy  these  little  insects,  it  is  only  necessary 
to  drench  them  well  with  a  solution  of  whale-oil  soap  or 
tobacco  water.  Perhaps  the  best  and  most  convenient 
remedy  is  hot  water  a  few  degrees  below  the  boiling  point, 
which  will  not  injure  the  plant  but  effectually  destroys 
these  pests. 

Scale-Insects. — The  Scale-insects  are  occasionally  found 
on  some  of  the  Conifers,  and  more  particularly  on  many 
of  the  Junipers.  In  fact,  so  injurious  are  they  on  some 
specimens,  even  of  a  large  size,  that  we  have  known  the 
plant  to  be  killed  in  a  single  season.  They  will  attack  the 
leaves  of  pines,  particularly  if  the  tree  should  be  in  an  un- 
healthy condition.  These  insects  are  the  most  formidable 
enemies  we  have  to  contend  with,  owing  to  their  peculiar 
habits. 

The  visible  token  by  which  we  recognize  the  presence 
of  these  pests  is  the  scale-like  covering ;  this  is  in  reality 
the  relics  of  the  parents  which  remain  to  act  as  a  protection 
to  the  young  brood ;  these  extract  the  juices  from  the 
tree  beneath  their  tough  covering,  and  kill  it  gradually. 
As  we  cannot  apply  to  the  scale  any  of  the  various  solu- 
tions that  are  employed  in  killing  the  Plant-lice,  it  becomes 
necessary  to  scrape  them  off;  and  here  again  another  diffi- 
culty arises, — for  among  the  multitude  of  closely  imbricat- 
ed leaves  found  on  the  Junipers,  this  plan  is  absolutely 
impossible.  The  hot  water  remedy  with  us  is  first  tried 
thoroughly,  and  if  that  fails  to  remove  these  tough  little 
coverings,  we  proceed  to  the  final  resource,  that  recom- 
mended by  the  old  Dutch  farmer  for  killing  off  the  curcu- 
lio,  i.  e.  "Cut  the  trees  down;"  only  in  our  case  it  has 
the  recommendation  of  preventing  the  insects  from  spread- 
ing to  other  trees  in  the  vicinity. 

The  Pine-leaf  Scale-insect,  (Aspidiotus  pmifolia),  is 


62  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

a  new  species  discovered  by  Fitch,  that  preys  upon  the 
leaves  of  the  Pine  genus,  and  is  very  distinct  from  the 
scale  that  infests  the  Junipers. 

An  insect,  new  to  the  writer,  has  made  its  appearance 
during  the  past  season  in  large  numbers ;  and  although 
very  readily  destroyed,  it  may  nevertheless  become  a  great 
nuisance  if  not  promptly  attended  to  when  first  observed. 
They  are  pale  yellowish-green  caterpillars,  about  an  inch 
in  length,  and  feed  in  communities ;  in  fact,  so  voracious 
are  they,  and  so  very  numerous,  that  frequently  they  will 
clear  a  young  pine  of  all  its  foliage  in  two  days.  The 
Dwarf  Pine  appears  to  have  their  preference,  although  we 
have  met  with  them  on  the  Scotch,  Loblolly,  etc.  A  plen- 
tiful deluge  of  hot  water,  however,  quickly  destroys  them. 

Colcoptera. — We  have  lately  received  the  following 
brief  but  interesting  list  of  "  Coleopterous  Insects  "  infest- 
ing the  Conifers,  from  Prof.  S.  S.  Rathvon,  of  Lancaster, 
Pa.,  all  of  which  he  states  have  been  found  in  Lancaster 
and  York  Counties,  Pa.,  or  in  Virginia  and  Maryland, 
around  Washington  City,  and  a  few  farther  north. 

"  The  trunks  and  roots  of  some  pines  (P.  Strobus,  P. 
rigida,  etc.,)  are  often  attacked  by  small  white  grubs,  al- 
lied to  the  common  grub  of  the  May-beetle,  and  will  al- 
ways be  found  lying  on  their  sides  in  a  semi-circular  form. 
This  is  especially  the  case  when  these  parts  are  aifected 
with  decay,  although  I  am  not  prepared  to  say  that  they 
are  the  primitive  cause  of  it.  These  are  the  larvae  of  a 
small  Melolonthon,  called  the  c  Bristle-necked  Valgus '  by 
Dr.  Fitch,  Valgus  seticallis,  Brauv.  The  Valgus  serrical- 
Hs  also  attacks  the  pine,  particularly  the  roots.  The  lar- 
vse  of  Chalcophora  Virginiensis,  a  rough-bronzed  beetle, 
nearly  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  attack  the  trunks  of  pines. 
This  insect  belongs  to  the  Buprestidm,  the  larvse  of  which 
are  long  and  flattened,  having  the  anterior  segments  much 
developed,  in  shape  something  resembling  a  newly-wrought 


INSECTS   INJURIOUS  TO   CONIFERS.  63 

horse-shoe  nail.  Also  other  species  of  the  same  genus,  C. 
immaculata  j  C.  liberta  /  C.  novaboracensis,  etc.,  etc. 

"  In  May  and  June,  on  the  Pine  and  Spruce  trees,  the 
Chrysobothris  Harrisii  and  the  Buprestis  aurulenta  ap- 
pear, (the  latter  a  beautiful  green  and  bronzed  beetle),  the 
Iarva3  boring  into  the  trunks  of  those  trees.  There  is  also 
the  JSuprestis  fulvoguttata,  and  the  Dicerea  punctulata, 
which  particularly  affect  the  Pinus  rigida.  The  Bupres- 
tidce  are  spindle-shaped  insects,  tapering  most  towards  the 
hind  end,  all  more  or  less  bronzed  beneath ;  and  the  larvse 
of  all  of  them  very  similar  in  shape,  white  fleshy  worms 
with  small  or  rudimental  feet,  and  a  small  black,  or  brown 
glossy  head.  Monohammus  notatus,  a  '  Long-horned  bee- 
tle,' in  the  larva  state,  bores  transversely  into  pine  timber 
at  least,  and  is  also  found  in  decayed  or  dead  parts  of 
standing  and  living  trees. 

"  The  Iarva3  of  some  of  these  '  Long-horns '  much  resem- 
ble those  of  the  JBuprestans,  only  they  are  not  so  thick  in 
front,  and  do  not  narrow  so  suddenly  into  the  nail,  or  tad- 
pole-shape. Also  the  M.  titittator,  M.  marmoratus,  M. 
scutellatus,  etc. ;  this  last  named  species  being  more  abund- 
ant on  the  northern  border  of  our  State,  (Pa.) 

"  Among  the  Longicornia,  infesting  the  different  kinds 
of  pine,  are  also  Eupogonius  pinisora  ;  Leptostylus  com- 
mixtus  ;  Euderces  pini  ;  Callidium  antenuatum  ;  Hylo- 
trupes  bagulus  y  Orthosoma  Pennsylvanica^  (a  large, 
long,  brown  beetle) ;  Tragosoma  Harrisii ;  Rhagium 
lineatum ;  Tomicus  xylographus,  nigricalis,  niger^  et 
fulvus,  et  caligraphus,  et  pini,  et  pusillus^  et  mater iarius, 
etc.,  etc.  Then  we  have  Hylurgus  tenebrans ;  Hylastis 
pinifex,  et  carbonarius ;  JETylobius  pales,  et  picivorus, 
etc.  All  these  insects,  both  in  the  larvae  and  perfect  state, 
affect  the  pines  immediately  under  the  bark,  or  in  the 
wood  of  the  trunk  and  large  limbs. 

"Affecting  the  twigs,  is  the  Pissodes  strobi,  a  small, 
black  { Curculio ' ;  but  then  there  are  also  species  belong- 


64  THE   BOOK    OP   EVEEGEEENS. 

ing  to  the  Hymenoptera  and  Homoptera,  which  affect  the 
leaves  as  well  as  the  twigs.  There  are  also  Lepidoptera 
which  do  the  same,  especially  the  Toricidce.  In  addition 
to  the  aforenamed  Coleoptera,  the  following  affect  the 
leaves :  CTvrysomela  Philadelphia  ;  Grtyptoscellis  hirtus  / 
Dichdonycha  albicallis  ;  Anomala  pinicola ;  and  Met- 
achoma  6-notata.  Liopus  facetus^  and  Hylurgus  dentatus^ 
on  the  Cedars  and  Junipers." 

There  are  other  insects  infesting  the  Conifers  in  this 
country,  but  not  sufficiently  numerous  to  require  special 
notice.  For  instance,  in  the  Southern  States,  Michaux 
mentions  extensive  tracts  of  the  finest  pines  covered  only 
with  dead  trees,  caused  by  swarms  of  small  insects  (prob- 
ably Hylopius  pales)  which  lodge  themselves  in  different 
parts  of  the  stock,  insinuate  themselves  under  the  bark, 
penetrate  into  the  body  of  the  tree,  and  cause  it  to  perish 
in  the  course  of  the  year ;  but  such  instances  as  the  above 
are,  perhaps,  only  local,  and  occur  unfrequently. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

SITUATION  AND   SELECTION"    OF    VARIETIES. 

In  a  pecuniary  point  of  view,  the  planting  of  evergreens 
around  dwellings  is  advisable,  as  they  protect  them  from 
the  violence  of  the  storms,  which  trees  with  deciduous 
leaves,  are  unable  to  do  during  the  winter  months.  This 
important  view  of  the  case  has  been  very  ably  argued  by 
Dr.  Warder  in  his  work  on  "Hedges  and  Evergreens," 
and  certainly  ought  to  be  carried  out  in  practise  by  our 
farmers  generally. 

The  above  mentioned  author,  after  showing  conclusively 
the  great  saving  that  will  thus  accrue  in  the  matter  of  fuel 
alone,  recommends  farmers  to  plant  belts  of  evergreens 
around  their  barns  and  farm-houses,  for  the  better  preserva- 
tion of  their  stock  from  the  inclemencies  of  the  winter, 
and,  particularly,  for  those  living  in  the  far  West,  on  the 
vast  prairies,  these  belts  will,  undoubtedly,  prove  highly 
economical  and  useful. 

In  many  instances,  throughout  England  especially,  Pine- 
turns  have  been  .formed,  composed  entirely  of  all  the  spe- 
cies and  marked  varieties  of  this  order.  Where  such  is 
the  case,  we  often  find  many  half-hardy  plants  succeeding, 
that  under  ordinary  cultivation  obstinately  refuse  to  be- 
come acclimated. 

This  is  entirely  owing  to  the  shelter  which  the  larger 

growing  and  hardier  kinds  afford  these  natives  of  a  milder 

climate.     Some  of  the  large  English  Pinetums  contain 

specimens  of  all  the  rarer  species,  at  the  present  time,  of 

65 


66  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

fine  size;  whilst  we,  from  some  cause,  are  almost  entirely 
ignorant  of  their  very  existence.  In  the  United  States, 
owing  to  the  want  of  sufficient  enthusiasm,  or  the  need  of 
pecuniary  means,  such  a  collection  has  never  been  at- 
tempted ;  although  there  have  been  a  few  instances  with- 
in the  past  few  years  where  energetic  individuals  have  de- 
voted much  time  to  the  subject,  and  have  created  quite 
creditable  collections. 

To  the  general  planter  these  specialties  are  of  little  in- 
terest, and  excepting  as  mere  botanical  specimens,  or  for 
the  purpose  of  testing  every  known  species  and  variety, 
not  to  be  recommended.  The  idea  of  this  work  is  not  to 
encourage  an  undue  interest  in  the  Coniferge  to  the  exclu- 
sion of  other  trees,  but  to  enable  the  uninformed  planter 
to  ma.ke  a  judicious  selection,  which  should  be  systemat- 
ically planted  as  recommended  by  those  who  have  made 
it  a  study  and  are  best  qualified  to  judge. 

The  great  diversity  of  form  and  color  as  displayed 
in  this  order  is  calculated,  in  the  hands  of  a  competent 
person,  to  create  an  impression  that  will  always  please  the 
eye ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  if  undertaken  by  an  unskillful 
hand,  an  incongruous  mixture  will  be  the  result,  that  not 
only  pains  the  eye  of  a  person  of  taste,  but  in  most 
cases  will  prove  a  mortification  to  the  proprietor  in  after 
years. 

The  desire  of  every  owner  of  a  plf^ce  should  be  to  plant 
his  trees  in  such  a  manner  as  will  harmonize  with  the  nat- 
ural landscape,  by  a  prudent  admixture  of  the  varied 
forms  and  shades  of  color.  This,  if  properly  done,  will 
be  a  constant  source  of  satisfaction  to  himself  and  others. 
We  do  not,  however,  wish  to  be  understood  as  recom- 
mending a  strict  observance  of  the  arrangement  c-f  trees 
in  our  woods;  but  we  do  sincerely  desire  to  see  a  more 
natural  and  less  artificial  system  pursued  than  that  so 
frequently  practised  by  many  planters  of  the  present  day. 

In  one  of  Bayard  Taylor's  works,  he  thus  beautifully 


SITUATION"  AND   SELECTION   OF   VARIETIES.  67 

alludes  to  the  true  principles  of  landscape-gardening :  "  In 
the  forms  and  colors  of  the  trees,  and  their  disposition  in 
regard  to  each  other,  and  to  the  character  of  their  back- 
ground, we  detect  that  art  which  never  appears  as  art, — 
never  can  offend  because  it  is  developed  through  the  ordi- 
nary processes  of  nature.  Plant  a  tree,  and  it  will  take, 
of  itself,  its  own  characteristic.  Nature,  however,  can 
simply  produce;  she  cannot  combine  and  arrange.  She 
will  not  plant  yonder  Weeping-ash  on  the  slope,  so  that 
its  outer  boughs  shall  just  touch  the  water ;  she  will  not 
rear  those  Purple  Beeches  to  relieve  the  huge  green  mass- 
es of  the  ancient  Lindens,  nor  give  the  Silver  Birch  an 
airy  lightness  and  distinctness  by  a  back-ground  of  Pine. 
She  plants  weeds  among  the  flowers,  and  ripple-grass  in 
the  turf;  muffles  the  brook  with  autumn-leaves ;  and  fills 
the  pond  with  sickly  water-mosses." 

Many  species  appear  to  much  better  advantage  when 
grown  singly,  to  allow  of  a  perfect  development  of  shape, 
whilst  others  are  beautifully  calculated  to  form  groups ; 
but  in  the  arrangement  of  the  latter,  a  guarded  care  should 
be  exercised  to  prevent  an  unsightly,  crowded  cluster. 
Downing,  in  his  "  Landscape  Gardening,"  says  :  "  Noth- 
ing at  first  thought  would  appear  easier  than  to  arrange 
a  few  trees  in  the  form  of  a  natural  and  beautiful  group, — 
and  nothing  really  is  easier  to  the  practised  hand.  Yet 
experience  has  taught  us  that  the  generality  of  persons,  in 
commencing  their  first  essays  in  ornamental  planting,  al- 
most invariably  crowd  their  trees  into  a  close,  regular 
dump,  which  has  a  most  formal  and  unsightly  appearance, 
as  different  as  possible  from  the  easy,  flowing  outline  of 
the  group. 

"  Natural  groups  are  full  of  openings  and  hollows,  of 
trees  advancing  before  or  retiring  behind  each  other ;  all 
productive  of  intricacy,  of  variety,  of  deep  shadows,  and 
brilliant  lights." 

The  great  value  of  evergreens  for  grouping  consists  in 


68  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

the  contrast  exhibited  between  them  and  the  round  head- 
ed class  of  trees,  so  that,  when  two  or  three  Pines  or  Firs 
are  inserted  in  the  centre  of  such  a  group,  they  produce  a 
beautiful  effect.  A  fine  specimen  of  the  Common  Hem- 
lock Spruce,  when  planted  on  an  open  space,  with  generous 
cultivation,  becomes  the  perfection  of  beauty  in  a  tree. 
The  rich,  dark  green  foliage,  and  graceful  drooping  branch- 
es, waving  and  glistening  in  the  passing  breeze,  create  an 
impression  of  quiet  elegance. 

A  frequent  error,  and  one  utterly  devoid  of  true  taste, 
is  that  of  planting  trees  in  straight  lines.  We  have  in  our 
recollection  more  than  one  lawn  on  which  the  trees  are 
planted  so  strictly  in  right  angles,  as  to  remind  one  of  a 
geometrical  figure.  In  an  orchard  or  garden  of  fruit  trees, 
this  system  is  expected,  and  indeed  is  proper ;  but  on  a 
lawn,  it  should  never  be  tolerated.  Another  erroneous 
practice  is  that  of  planting  large-sized  trees  in  small  door- 
yards,  without  taking  into  consideration  their  ultimate 
size.  There  are  a  number  of  evergreens  belonging  to  the 
smaller  class  of  trees,  or  large  shrubs,  that  would  answer 
the  purpose  equally  well,  which  would  not  grow  out  of 
proportion. 

No  undeviating  rules  can  be  laid  down  to  instruct  the 
planter  how  to  arrange  his  trees  correctly ;  but  general 
principles  may  be  given  to  prevent  confused  and  meaning- 
less effects.  To  form  plantations  according  to  correct  prin- 
ciples and  carefully  executed  ideas  belongs  to  the  person 
of  taste. 

We  conclude  this  subject  by  one  more  extract  from  the 
writings  of  Bayard  Taylor,  in  which  he  thus  alludes  most 
eloquently  to  the  intelligent  landscape-gardener:  "In  his 
eyes  all  its  features  are,  to  a  certain  extent,  plastic.  That 
which  he  cannot  change  or  remove,  he  can  throw  into  per- 
spective, or  so  conceal  by  the  intervention  of  other  forms, 
that  its  individual  ugliness  shall  become  a  component  part 
of  the  general  beauty.  To  contracted  spaces  he  can  im- 


SITUATION   AND   SELECTION   OF   VAEIETIES.  69 

part  a  character  of  expansion ;  dead  levels  he  breaks  by 
picturesque  interruptions ;  he  works  not  alone  for  the  eye, 
but  excites  the  fancy  by  stolen  glimpses  which  hint  at 
some  concealed  charm.  He  collects  the  wandering  rills, 
and  opens  a  mirrowed  under-sky  to  brighten  the  too  uni- 
form green ;  he  arranges  his  trees  with  regard  to  their 
forms  and  tints,  to  the  lights  they  catch  and  the  shadows 
they  cast,  until  they  stand  as  far  in  beauty  above  the  un- 
cultured woods,  as  the  pediment  groups  of  Grecian  tem- 
ples are  above  a  group  of  ordinary  men.  He  sees,  like  the 
sculptor,  the  suggestions  of  Nature,  and  pilfers  the  graces 
of  a  hundred  forms,  to  blend  them  harmoniously  in  one 
ideal.  Should  not  this  *  Earth  Sculpture '  have  its  place 
among  the  Fine  Arts  ?  " 


CHAPTER    IX. 

SYNOPSIS    OF    THE    GENERA   OF    CONIFERS. 

In  order  to  present  the  genera  described  in  this  work 
arranged  in  their  proper  sub-orders,  the  following  synopsis 
has  been  prepared.  It  is  intended  as  an  artificial  key  to 
aid  in  determining  the  genus  to  which  a  plant  belongs, 
rather  than  as  a  scientific  grouping  of  the  genera.  The 
number  placed  after  the  name  of  the  genus  refers  to  its 
position  in  the  work.  The  characters  of  the  Family  are 
described  at  length  on  page  12,  and  we  here  give  only  a 
brief  recapitulation  of  them: 

NATURAL  ORDER  CONIFERS,— THE  PINE  FAMILY. 

Trees  or  shrubs  with  a  resinous  juice,  and  mostly  linear, 
scale-formed  or  awl-shaped,  and  entire  leaves.  Flowers, 
monoecious  or  dioecious,  without  calyx  or  corolla,  usually 
crowded  into  short,  scaly  aments.  Ovules  and  seeds,  nak- 
ed. Embryo  in  the  axis  of  the  albumen.  Cotyledons, 
two  to  many,  in  a  whorl.  The  wood  destitute  of  ducts,  but 
the  fibre  marked  with  numerous  circular  disks. 

SUB-ORDER  I.— THE  PINE  SUB-FAMILY— ABIETINE  J3. 

Fertile  flowers  in  aments,  consisting  of  scales  each 
from  the  axil  of  a  bract,  and  bearing  at  its  base  two  in- 
verted ovules  ;  fruit  a  cone.  Buds,  scaly. 

A    Flowers  monoecious  ;  leaves  persistent. 

*  Seeds  2  to  each  scale  of  the  cone  and  adherent  to  it. 

Pinus — (PINE.) — 1.  Leaves  needle-shaped ;  2,  3,  or  5 
in  a  cluster,  with  a  scaly  sheath  at  base. 

Abies — (SPRUCE. — FIR.) — 2.    Leaves    short,  needle- 
shaped,  4-sided  or  flat,  scattered  on  the  branches  or  some- 
what 2-rowed,  not  clustered ;  cones  with  thin  scales. 
70 


SYNOPSIS   OF   THE   GENERA   OF   CONIFERS.  71 

Cedrus — (CEDAR.) — 3.  Leaves  4-sided,  clustered  on  the 
old  branches,  solitary  and  scattered  on  the  young  shoots ; 
scales  of  cones  deciduous. 

*  *  Seeds  varying  in  number,  and  free  from  the  scale. 
Cunninghamia* — 4.    Leaves  linear-falcate,  alternate,  de- 
current  ;  scales  of  cone  3-seeded,  without  bracts. 

Sciadopitys. — 5.  Leaves  whorled,  elongated,  sub-fal- 
cate ;  scales  of  cone  with  small  bracts,  5  to  9-seeded. 

ArthrotaxiSi — 11.  Leaves  scale-formed;  scales  of  the 
cone  3  to  5-seeded,  (usually  dioecious.) 

Sequoia* — 6.  Leaves  oblong  awl-shaped  or  linear,  scat- 
tered or  somewhat  two-rowed;  scales  of  cone  shield-shap- 
ed, 3  to  7-seeded. 

B  Flowers  monoecious;  leaves  deciduous,  clustered  on  the  old 
branches  and  solitary  on  the  young  shoots. 

Larix — (LARCH.) — 7.    Cones  with  persistent  scales. 

Pseudolarix — (FALSE  LARCH.) — 8.  Cones  with  de- 
ciduous and  divergent  scales. 

C  Flowers  dioecious  ;  leaves  persistent. 

Araucaria* — 9.  Leaves  scale-formed;  anthers  with 
many  cells ;  scales  of  cone  mostly  deciduous,  with  a  single 
adherent  seed. 

Dammara. — 10.  Leaves  oblong-lanceolate;  scales  of 
cone  with  1  free  seed. 

Arthrotaxis. — 11.  Leaves  scale-formed  ;  scales  of  cone 
with  3  to  5  free  seeds,  (sometimes  monoecious.) 

SUB-ORDER  II.— THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.- 

(ClJPRESSLOLE.) 

Fertile  flowers  in  aments,  consisting  of  few  scales  with- 
out bracts ;    scales  mostly  shield-shaped,  and  bearing  one 
to  several  erect  ovules ;    fruit  a  strobile  of  few  scales  or 
berry-like ;  buds  mostly  naked. 
A  Leaves  persistent. 

*  Fruit  berry-like  at  maturity. 


72  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

Jimiperus — (JUNIPER.) — 12.  Fruit  of  few  scales,  with 
1  to  5  ovules  at  the  base  of  each,  ripening  into  a  drupe- 
like  berry. 

*  *  Fruit  a  small  cone,  with  the  scales  valvate,  i.  e.,  meeting  at  the 
edges,  but  not  overlapping. 

Widdringtonia. — 13.  Scales  of  the  cone  4,  equal  in 
size,  10-seeded. 

Callitris. — 14.  Scales  of  the  globular,  woody  cone,  4, 
the  alternate  scales  smaller,  1  to  2-seeded. 

LiboccdrilS. — 15.  Scales  of  the  oval,  leathery  cone,  4, 
the  alternate  scales  smaller,  1-seeded. 

Actinostrolms. — 16.    Scales  of  cone  6,  equal,  1-seeded. 

Frcncla, — 17.  Scales  of  cone  6,  the  alternate  ones 
smaller,  many  seeded. 

Fitzroya. — 18.  Scales  of  cone  9  (?),  in  whorls  of  3, 
many  seeded. 

*  *  *  Fruit  a  cone,  with  imbricated  or  overlapping  scales. 

Thuja — (AMERICAN  ARBOR  YIT^E.) — 19.  Cone  ovate; 
scales  leathery,  2-seeded. 

Thlljopsis. — 20.  Cone  globular;  scales  woody,  5-seeded. 

*  #  #  Fruit  a  cone,  with  shield-shaped  scales,  mostly  pointed  at  the 
apex.  ^ 

Biota — (CHINESE  ARBOR  VITJS.) — 21.  Cone  obovoid; 
scales  leathery,  2-seeded. 

Cupressus — (CYPRESS.) — 22.  Cone  globular;  scales 
woody,  many  seeded ;  seeds  mostly  without  resinous  dots. 

Retinispora* — 23.  As  in  Cupressus,  the  seeds  marked 
with  resinous  blotches  or  cells. 

Cryptomeria. — 24.  Cone  globular,  woody,  with  wedge- 
shaped  scales  fringed  on  the  edges. 
B  Leaves  deciduous,  or  nearly  so. 

Taxodium  —  (DECIDUOUS  CYPRESS.)  —  25.  Leaves  in 
two  TOWS  ;  cones  globular ;  scales  shield-shaped,  woody. 


SYNOPSIS    OF   THE    GENEKA    OF    CONIFERS.  73 

GlyptOStrolwS,  —  26.   Leaves  scattered;  cones  oblong; 
scales  leathery,  unequal. 

SUB-OKDER    III.—  THE    YEW    SUB-FAMILY.— 


Fertile  aments  solitary,  without  an  ovary  or  carpellary 
scale,  and  ripening  into  a  drupaceous  fruit.  Buds  scaly. 

A  Flowers  dioecious.    *  Leaves  persistent,  linear,  or  needle-shaped. 

TaXUS—  (YEW.)  —  27.  Seeds  nut-like,  erect  in  the  centre 
of  an  open,  fleshy  disk;  anthers  8-celled. 

Torre  ya,  —  28.  Seeds  large,  ovoid,  and  without  a  fleshy 
disk  ;  anthers  4-celled. 

Cephalotaxus.  —  29.  Seeds  similar  to  Torreya,  but  the 
fruit  in  clusters;  anthers  3-celled. 

PodocarpllS,  —  30.  Leaves  mostly  1-nerved  ;  seed  with 
a  fleshy  integument,  inverted  and  attached  to  thick,  fleshy 
stalks. 

*  *  Leaves  persistent,  scale-like  or  needle-shape. 
Dacrydium,  —  31.    Seeds  with  a  hard,  bony  covering, 

erect  in  a  fleshy,  disk-like  integument. 

*  *  *  Leaves  deciduous,  fan-shaped. 

Salisburia.  —  32.  Seeds  large,  with  a  fleshy  disk  closely 
surrounding  their  base  ;  anthers  2-celled. 

B  Flowers  monoecious.    *  Leaves  persistent,  scale-formed. 

PhyllOCladus,  —  33.  Branchlets  flattened  and  leaf-like; 
seeds  small,  nut-like,  and  partly  enclosed  at  the  base  by  a 
fleshy  disk  ;  anthers  2-celled. 

Microcachrys.  —  34.  Leaves  in  opposite  pairs  ;  seeds 
erect  with  a  thin,  dry,  membranaceous  covering. 

*  *  Leaves  persistent,  linear,  and  flat. 

Saxc-Gothea.—  35.  Leaves  alternate,  two-rowed,  or 
scattered  ;  base  of  the  seeds  enclosed  by  a  thin  membra- 
naceous integument. 

*  *  *  Leaves  persistent,  opposite,  elliptical  or  lanceolate,  nerveless. 
Nageia.  —  36.    Sometimes  dioecious  ;    seeds  with  a  thin, 

bony  shell,  and  enclosed  by  a  fleshy  or  leathery  covering. 
4 


CHAPTER    X. 

THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.— ABIETINE.E. 

Tha  general  characters  of  this  sub-family  are  given  in 
the  Synopsis  on  page  70,  and  we  illustrate  them  by  a 
figure,  (Fig.  12,)  modified  from  Richard,  of  the  flowers  of 
the  Scotch  Pine,  (Pinus  sylvestris).  A.  cluster  of  sterile 
aments  of  the  natural  size  is  shown  at  #,  and  at  b  one  of 
the  aments  enlarged ;  the  scales  of  which  it  is  composed 
are  stamens,  the  back  of  one  of  which  is  seen  at  d,  and 
the  front;  showing  the  two  anthers,  at  c.  A  solitary  fertile 
ament  at  the  end  of  a  short  branch  is  shown  at  e  /  f  is 
the  same  enlarged;  g  is  one  of  the  carpellary  scales,  or 
open  pistils,  with  its  accompanying  bract ;  h  is  a  view  of 
the  same,  with  the  two  inverted  ovules  at  its  base.  These 
scales,  in  ripening,  form  the  cone ;  a  separate  cone-scale, 
with  the  seeds  at  the  base,  is  given  at  i. 

I.— PINUS,  Linnaeus.—  PINE. 

Flowers,  monoecious.  Sterile  aments,  in  spikes  or  clus- 
ters, formed  of  numerous  stamens  on  the  axis,  with  very 
short  filaments.  Anthers,  2-celled,  with  a  scale-like  con- 
nective, and  opening  lengthwise.  Fertile  aments,  solitary 
or  in  clusters,  and  terminal.  Fruit,  a  cone,  persistent,  and 
formed  of  woody  imbricated  scales.  Seeds,  nut-like,  situ- 
ated in  an  excavation  at  the  base  of  the  scales,  and  mostly 
winged.  Cotyledons,  linear,  from  3  to  12.  Leaves,  nee- 
dle-shaped, almost  cylindrical,  in  clusters  of  2,  3,  or  5, 
with  a  sheath  at  the  base ;  persistent. 

The  genus  Pinus  comprises  a  much  larger  number 
of  species  than  any  other  belonging  to  the  order.  The 
74 


THE   PINE    SUE-FAMILY. 


75 


Fig.    12.— FLOWERS     OF    PINUS    SYLVESTKIS,     TO    ILLUSTRATE    TUB 
INFLORESCENCE  OF   THE  PINE  SUB-FAMILY — ABIETINE^E. 


76  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

recent  discoveries  in  Mexico  by  Roezel  have  added  several 
to  the  already  large  list,  and  although  none  of  these  can 
in  all  probability  be  acclimated  in  the  Northern  States, 
very  many  of  them  will  form  highly  ornamental  trees  for 
more  congenial  climates,  particularly  in  portions  of  Eng- 
land and  France. 

The  derivation  of  the  name  of  this  genus  is  involved  in 
uncertainty ;  some  writers  asserting  it  is  derived  from  the 
Greek  pinos,  signifying  a  Pine  tree,  whilst  others  contend 
it  came  from  the  Celtic  pen,  a  mountain,  the  natural  hab- 
itat of  the  family.  The  Greek  pion,  meaning  fat,  in  allu- 
sion to  the  resinous  oily  matter  produced,  is  also  a  deriva- 
tion mentioned  by  some  authors.  The  first  is  probably 
correct. 

The  different  members  of  the  genus  are  found  all  over 
the  world,  and  in  point  of  usefulness  are  unsurpassed  by 
any  other  belonging  to  the  order. 

The  resinous  secretions  contained  in  the  wood  render  it 
invaluable  for  fuel,  especially  where  an  intense  heat  is 
required.  Vast  quantities  of  Pitch  Pine,  (P.  rigida,)  and 
Red  Pine,  (P.  resinosa,)  are  yearly  consumed  in  this 
manner. 

The  wood  of  the  Yellow  Pine,  (P.  mitis,)  Long-leav- 
ed, or  Yellow  Pine  of  the  South,  (P.  australis,)  and 
White  Pine,  (P.  tStrobus.)  is  exceedingly  valuable,  and 
forms  the  most  important  lumber  in  the  markets  of  this 
country ;  whilst  that  manufactured  from  the  Scotch  Pine, 
(P.  sylvestris?)  is  celebrated  throughout  Europe.  The 
important  commercial  products,  such  as  tar,  turpentine, 
rosin,  etc.,  are  principally  obtained  from  the  P.  australis, 
and  other  kindred  species. 

For  ornamental  purposes,  many  of  the  Pines  are  unsur- 
passed for  beauty,  and  form  magnificent  conical  trees  that 
create  an  effect  peculiar  to  themselves.  The  newer  intro- 
ductions from  Northern  California  and  Oregon  are  perfect 
specimens  of  elegance,  and  as  many  of  them  have  proven 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  77 

hardy  in  this  latitude,  we  may  derive  great  pleasure  from 
their  introduction. 

In  our  division  of  this  genus  into  sections  or  sub-genera, 
we  follow  the  excellent  plan  pursued  by  Loudon,  and 
adopted  by  Gordon. 


SECT.  I.— BITVJE.— Two  LEAVES  IN  A  SHEATH 

It  P.  Austriaca,  Hoess. — AUSTRIAN  PIXE. — Syn.  P. 
Laricio  Austriaca,  JEndlicher  ;  P.  nigra,  Link. — Leaves, 
long,  rigid,  slender,  incurved,  sharply  mucronate ;  rich, 
dark  green  color,  and  from  short  sheaths.  Cones,  medium 
size,  (2^-  to  3  inches  long,)  conical,  slightly  recurved  and 
light  brown  color.  Scales,  smooth  and  shining,  with  a 
dull  spine  in  the  centre. 

According  to  Gordon,  the  Austrian  Pine  "  is  found  on 
the  calcareous  mountains  in  Lower  Austria,  Styria,  Mora- 
via, Corinthia,  Transylvania,  and  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Mehadia  in  Banat."  It  forms  a  large,  spreading  tree, 
about  120  feet  in  height,  and  produces  strong  timber,  which 
is  extensively  used  in  its  native  localities. 

This  valuable  tree,  although  of  comparatively  recent 
origin,  being  unknown  in  Britain  previous  to  the  year 
1835,  has  gradually  worked  its  way  into  public  favor,  un- 
til at  the  present  time  it  ranks  as  one  of  the  most  popular 
species,  and  one  of  the  few  well-known  Pines  that  are  ex- 
tensively planted.  The  numerous,  rough  branches,  are 
placed  regularly  around  the  tree,  and  impart  a  massive  ap- 
pearance. The  rather  long,  rigid,  dark  green  leaves,  are 
remarkably  beautiful  when  viewed  from  a  distance ;  but 
on  the  other  hand,  a  very  close  inspection  reveals  a  coarse 
and  rather  rough  character,  that  should  prevent  its  use 
for  planting  in  the  near  vicinity  of  the  residence. 

The  cones  are  very  handsome,  being  regular  in  shape, 
and  of  a  rich  brown  color,  which  is  heightened  by  a  pecu- 
liar glossiness  on  the  surface. 


78  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

The  hardiness  with  which  it  stands  our  climate  is  also 
an  additional  claim  for  its  extended  use ;  as  in  the  coldest 
winters  of  our  Northern  States,  and  particularly  in  the 
most  northern  portions  of  them,  specimens  of  this  species 
succeed  and  thrive  as  admirably  as  the  natives  themselves. 

It  also  adapts  itself  to  almost  every  soil  and  situation,  but 
prefers  a  rich,  light  loam,  with  a  well  drained  subsoil,  and 
in  such  grows  rapidly,  and  speedily  forms  a  tree.  Where 
the  soil  is  retentive  of  moisture,  and  consequently  becomes 
sour  and  soddened,  we  have  seen  this  species  succeeding 
moderately  well,  whilst  the  White  Pine,  (P.  Strobus^) 
planted  in  the  same  situation,  died  outright. 

We  desire  to  advocate  the  claims  of  the  Austrian  Pine 
for  planting  wherever  a  strong,  hardy  evergreen  is  desired 
to  break  the  force  of  the  wind  from  buildings  or  orchards; 
and  in  groups,  or  for  avenues,  in  particular  situations,  it  is 
one  of  the  most  available  trees  at  our  command.  Taking 
into  account  its  rapidity  of  growth  and  the  certainty  with 
which  it  will  speedily  produce  an  effect,  owing  also  in  a 
great  measure  to  the  peculiar  prominence  of  its  general 
outline,  we  consider  it  unrivalled  for  a  newly  planted  lawn. 

2.  P,  Banksiana,  Lambert. — BANKS'  OR  GRAY  PINE. — 
Syn.  P.  rupestris,  MX.  /  P.  Hudsonica,  Lamarck. — Leaves 
from  a  very  short  sheath,  one  inch  long,  rigid,  divergent, 
numerous,  evenly  distributed,  and  grayish-green  in  color. 
Cones  nearly  two  inches  in  length,  ovate-conical,  recurved, 
hard,  smooth,  light  gray  color,  with  almost  pointless 
scales.  Seeds,  very  small,  with  long  wings. 

This  species,  which  is  a  native  of  our  most  northern  lim- 
its of  arborescent  vegetation,  generally  forms  a  large, 
straggling  shrub  ;  but  in  milder  regions  grows  much  larg- 
er, and  will  in  favorable  situations  attain  to  the  height  of 
a  small  or  medium-sized  tree.  In  Canada,  and  northward 
to  Hudson's  Bay,  the  Gray  Pine  is  frequently  met  with ; 
and  even  after  all  other  trees  have  disappeared,  this  is  oc- 
casionally seen  growing  about  three  feet  high  and  strag- 
gling over  the  ground. 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  79 

Dr.  Richardson,  during  his  journey  to  the  Arctic  Seas, 
speaks  of  it  as  attaining  the  height  of  from  20  to  40  feet, 
and  even  upwards  in  favorable  situations ;  and  also  that 
he  found  it  occupying  dry,  sandy  soils.  He  describes  it  as 
forming  an  elegant  tree,  with  long,  flexible,  spreading 
branches.  Douglas,  likewise,  mentions  it  as  forming 
good  sized  trees  in  the  valleys  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

The  timber  is  remarkably  light,  with  a  straight,  tough 
fibre,  and  according  to  Dr.  Richardson  much  prized  by 
the  Indians  for  building  their  canoes,  and  for  other  purposes. 

For  ornamental  planting,  JSTuttall  says,  "  it  is  prized  in 
Great  Britain;  but  with  us,  as  yet,  the  appearance  of  pines 
is  too  plebeian,  from  their  abundance  and  predominance 
throughout  the  barren  and  uncleared  lands  by  which  we 
are  still  surrounded." 

Notwithstanding  the  existence  of  this  species  has  been 
known  to  botanists  for  a  number  of  years,  and  with  a 
knowledge  that  in  England  it  makes  a  fine  specimen  under 
generous  cultivation,  we  are  scarcely  aware  of  its  being 
planted  in  this  country,  excepting  by  a  very  few  enthusi- 
astic botanists,  who  desire  to  examine  the  habit  of  every- 
thing belonging  to  the  order. 

Michaux,  in  his  "  Sylva,"  speaks  rather  disparagingly 
of  its  merits.  After  mentioning  the  supposed  medicinal 
properties  contained  in  the  cones,  he  remarks :  "  If  this 
property,  which  is  said  to  belong  also  to  the  fruit  of  the 
Black  Spruce,  is  proved  to  exist,  it  forms  the  only  merit 
of  a  tree  too  diminutive  to  be  of  any  other  utility." 
From  which  assertion  we  differ,  for  Ave  know  of  no  other 
species  that  is  apparently  so  well  adapted  for  creating  a 
peculiar  effect  in  picturesque  landscapes,  as  the  one  under 
notice ;  and  particularly  in  close  proximity  to  wild,  rocky 
scenery,  when  it  may  be  allowed  to  grow  as  a  low,  strag- 
gling shrub,  and  thereby  appear  appropriate. 

Michaux  certainly  never  saw  it  in  cultivation,  for  London 
thus  eulogizes  it : 


80  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

"  As  an  ornamental  tree,  we  think  it  one  of  the  most  in- 
teresting of  the  genus,  from  the  graceful  manner  in  which 
it  throws  about  its  long,  flexible,  twisted  branches,  which 
are  generally  covered  throughout  their  whole  length  with 
twisted,  glaucous-green  leaves,  with  here  and  there  a 
whorl  of  curiously  hooked,  horn-like  cones.  It  is  one  of 
the  hardiest  of  the  Abietinese,  enduring  in  the  Floetbeck 
Nurseries  12°  of  Reaumur  (5°  Fahr.,)  and  therefore  it 
may  be  safely  planted  in  pinetums  in  the  extreme  north, 
not  only  of  Britain,  but  of  Europe." 

3,  P.  Brutia9  Tenore. — CALABRIAN  CLUSTER  PINE. — 
Syn.  P.  conglomerate  G-rcefer ;  quoted  by  Lambert. — 
Leaves  in  twos  rarely  in  threes,  very  long,  slender,  glabrous, 
wavy,  spreading,  about  9  inches  long ;  light  green,  cana- 
liculate above,  convex  beneath,  serrulate  on  the  margins, 
terminated  by  a  small  callous  mucro ;  sheaths  about  $  i"ch 
long,  persistent,  of  an  ash-brown  color,  membranaceous, 
entire  round  the  tops ;  guarded  at  bottom  with  a  linear- 
lanceolate,  revolute,  bright  brown,  thread-like,  ciliated 
scale  (metamorphosed  leaf.)  Cones,  sessile,  generally  in 
clusters,  ovate,  smooth,  brownish,  2  inches  to  3  inches 
long;  cones  truncate  at  the  apex,  flattish,  trapezoidal,  um- 
bilicate,  smooth,  obsoletely  four-angled  ;  umbilicus,  dilat- 
ed, depressed,  somewhat  hollow,  ash-colored.  (D.  Don.) 

A  large  tree  from  the  Calabrian  Mountains,  where,  ac- 
cording to  Prof.  Tenore,  it  attains  the  height  of  70  feet. 
It  is  remarkably  spreading  in  its  character,  and  the  bright 
green  foliage  produces  a  beautiful  effect.  After  testing  its 
hardiness  for  several  years,  it  may  now  be  recommended 
as  reliable  and  quite  valuable  in  a  collection  of  ornamental 
trees.  Many  authorities  have  at  different  periods  been  at 
a  loss  to  determine  the  true  position  of  this  species,  and 
have  through  an  ignorance  of  its  distinctive  characters 
ranked  it  as  a  variety  of  P.  pinaster,  etc. ;  and  Spregel 
referred  it  to  that  species,  without  considering  it  suffi- 
ciently marked  to  even  form  a  variety.  It  is,  however,  very 
distinct  in  many  points.  It  so  closely  resembles  the  P. 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  81 

Ualepensis  in  general  appearance,  as  to  be  frequently  mis- 
taken for  that  species,  although  the  latter  is  very  uncertain 
in  this  climate. 

The  fruit,  however,  is  very  unlike ;  as  that  produced  by 
the  P.  J3rutia  is  almost  invariably  borne  in  large  clusters, 
and  sessile;  and  the  P.  Halepensis  produces  its  cones  sol- 
itary or  occasionally  in  pairs,  with  long  footstalks,  and 
likewise  forms  a  smaller  tree  than  the  former. 

It  is  one  of  the  foreign  species  to  which  little  attention 
has  been  paid,  notwithstanding  its  merits  fully  entitle  it 
to  the  attention  of  cultivators,  and  when  better  known, 
will  certainly  be  regarded  with  favor. 

Lambert  says  the  timber  is  very  valuable  and  adapted 
to  a  variety  of  uses. 

4.  P,  COntorta,  Douglas. — TWISTED-BRANCHED  PINE. 
— Leaves,  2  inches  long,  from  a  short,  dark,  imbricated 
sheath,  numerous,  rigid,  sharply  mucronate.  Cones,  from 
2  to  2^-  inches  long,  smooth,  ovate,  clustered ;  scales  fur- 
nished with  a  caducous  mucro.  Branches,  twisted,  slen- 
der, spreading,  and  thickly  covered  with  leaves.  Buds, 
very  resinous,  roundish,  obtusely  pointed,  and  brown  color. 

A  rare  tree  in  cultivation,  having  been  quite  recently 
introduced  into  European  collections.  Loudon  says : 
"  This  pine  was  fo'und  by  Douglas  in  North-west  America, 
on  swampy  ground  near  the  sea-coast ;  and,  abundantly, 
near  Cape  Disappointment,  and  Cape  Lookout.  Dried 
specimens,  with  cones,  were  sent  home  in  1825-6-7." 

Pinus  contorta,  says  Dr.  Parry,  '*  is  quite  abundant  on 
the  crest  and  slopes  of  dry  sub-alpine  ridges,  forming  the 
principal  part  of  the  forest  there,  and  extending  to  near 
the  snow  line ;  a  symmetrical  tree  of  rapid  growth,  30  or 
40  feet  high,  with  slim  and  tapering  trunk  a  foot  in  diam- 
eter, a  smoothish,  grayish-brown  bark,  detached  in  thin 
scales,  and  tough  but  coarse  wood,  which  is  liable  to  warp, 
and  rarely  cut  into  boards." 

Other  writers  have  described  this  species  as  attaining 
4* 


82  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

the  height  of  from  10  to  20  or  30  feet,  and  state  that  it  is 

o  " 

found  along  the  north-west  coast  of  North  America,  where 
it  forms  a  low,  straggling  bush,  not  unlike  P.  Uanksiana, 
or  poor  specimens  of  P.  mops.  In  fact,  Hooker  consider- 
ed it  as  a  mere  variety  of  the  latter;  but  other  botanists, 
among  whom  was  the  discoverer  Douglas,  claim  it  as  a 
true  species.  We  feel  not  the  least  hesitancy  in  placing  it 
as  such,  since  more  modern  research  has  given  it  a  just 
right  to  the  distinction. 

Being  an  inhabitant  of  the  most  northern  confines  of  ar- 
borescent vegetation,  it  will  certainly  prove  hardy  with 
us,  and  for  peculiar  situations,  as  well  as  for  producing 
particular  effects  in  landscape  gardening,  it  may  prove  of 
use ;  but  as  an  ornamental  tree,  we  fear  its  straggling  and 
crooked  branches  will  prove  objectionable. 

5t  P*  glabra9  Wctlter. — SPRUCE  PISTE. — Branches  and 
branchlets,  smooth,  whitish.  Cones,  generally  solitary, 
somewhat  cylindrical,  spines  nearly  obsolete.  In  close, 
rich  soil,  near  Black  Oak,  South  Carolina.  (Ravenel.) — A 
tree  from  40  to  60  feet  high,  with  smoothish  bark  and  soft 
white  wood,  branching  from  near  the  ground.  Leaves, 
from  3  to  4  inches  long.  Cones,  about  2  inches  long. 
"  Wings  of  the  seed  lighter  colored,  more  tapering,  longer 
and  less  gibbous  than  those  of  P.  mitis"  This  species  of 
Walter,  long  overlooked,  but  lately  revived  by  Mr.  Rav- 
enel, is,  if  I  mistake  not,  not  uncommon  in  the  low  hum- 
mocks of  this  State  (Florida),  and  is  distinguished  here,  as 
in  South  Carolina,  as  the  Spruce  Pine.  (Chapman). 

We  introduce  this  species  to  the  notice  of  our  readers 
on  account  of  its  being  a  native,  believing  that  our  own 
trees  should  receive  our  especial  attention,  if  in  the  least 
deserving.  This  species  may  be  rather  tender  for  a  north- 
ern latitude,  but  we  confess  our  ignorance  on  the  subject, 
never  having  'had  an  opportunity  of  examining  or  testing 
it.  The  above  description  is  taken  from  the  reliable  work 
by  Dr.  Chapman,  entitled  "Flora  of  the  Southern  States," 
on  the  authority  of  which  we  have  placed  it  here. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  83 

A  number  of  the  Southern  Conifers  having  been  suc- 
cessfully grown  in  the  Middle  States,  such  as  the  Torreya 
taxifolia,  Taxodium  distichum,  Plnus  australis,  etc.,  we 
can  perceive  no  cause  why  this  fine  tree  should  not  prove 
equally  available. 

6.  P,  Halepensis,  Mill.  —  ALEPPO  PIXE. —  Syn.  P. 
hierosolymitana,  Du  Samel. — Leaves,  2  or  3  inches  long, 
seldom  *in  threes,  slender,  dark  green  in  color.  Cones, 
from  2^-  to  3  inches  in  length,  invariably  turned  down- 
wards, long  peduncled,  and  producing  medium-sized  seeds, 
with  long  wings.  Cotyledons,  7.  Branches,  long  and 
naked.  Buds,  from  -J  to  £  inch  long,  roundish,  imbricated, 
and  destitute  of  resin. 

This  species,  notwithstanding  its  resemblance  to  the  P. 
Jlrutia,  is  vastly  inferior  to  it,  especially  in  this  latitude. 
It  is  found  in  several  of  the  countries  bordering  on  the 
Mediterranean,  especially  in  the  south,  of  Spain,  France, 
Greece,  etc.  It  forms  a  small  tree,  scarcely  ever  exceed- 
ing 25  feet  in  height. 

Our  experience  with  it  has  not  been  so  satisfactory  as 
we  could  have  wished ;  some  seasons  standing  without 
protection,  and  in  others  being  entirely  killed. 

Its  healthfulness  depends  much  upon  the  nature  of  the 
soil,  as  it  is  extremely  impatient  of  a  cold,  damp  soil,  and 
on  such  almost  absolutely  refuses  to  thrive ;  whilst  on  a 
more  congenial,  light,  well-drained  border,  which  is  also 
somewhat  protected  from  the  cold  north  winds,  it  may 
succeed. 

The  specimen  in  the  Evans'  Arboretum,  at  Radnor, 
Delaware  Co.,  Pa.,  appears  to  be  pretty  well  acclimated, 
and  although  it  is  in  a  very  sheltered  situation,  has  the  ap- 
pearance of  being  somewhat  out  of  its  latitude.  London 
says :  "  P.  Halepensis  is  the  most  tender  of  European 
Pines,  not  even  excepting  P.  Pinea;"  and  afterward 
adds :  "  In  Britain,  P.  Halepensis  can  only  be  considered 
as  ornamental,  and,  when  planted  singly  on  a  lawn,  it 


84  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

forms  one  of  the  handsomest  species  of  the  genus.  Ac- 
cording to  Bosc,  it  is  the  most  elegant  of  European  Pines." 

The  foliage,  we  think,  is  the  only  redeeming  feature  of 
the  tree,  being  of  a  beautiful,  light  green  color ;  but  un- 
fortunately, this  is  shed  so  copiously  as  to  impart  a  naked 
appearance,  which  has  anything  but  an  ornamental  effect. 
A  variety, 

P,  Halepensis  Pityusa,  Stevens,  which  has  been  honored 
by  eight  or  ten  synonyms,  is  also  cultivated  in  Europe, 
and  is  described  as  being  very  distinct  from  the  type  in 
the  size  of  the  leaves  and  the  cones,  as  well  as  in  forming 
a  much  larger  sized  tree. 

This  variety  has  been  frequently  sent  out  by  foreign 
nurserymen  as  P.  maritima,  a  name  that  is  apparently 
only  used  when  a  plant  is  unknown,  or  as  a  convenient 
appellation  for  the  Pine  genus  at  large,  for  any,  and  every- 
thing that  dishonest  dealers  wish  to  dispose  of,  for  a  reason- 
able compensation.  We  have  seen  so  many  distinct  plants 
sent  out  under  tins  name,  all  of  which  belonged  to  old, 
well-defined  species,  that  P.  maritima  has  become,  to  us, 
a  synonym  of  doubt  and  uncertainty.  There  is  no  species 
by  that  name  in  the  Conifer®. 

Yar.  minor,  London,  and  var.  genuensis,  London,  are 
placed  as  synonyms  of  the  species  by  Gordon  ;  and  the 
var.  maritima,  London,  or  P.  maritima,  Lambert,  is  con- 
sidered as  synonymous  with  the  var.  Pityusa,  by  the  same 
author. 

7.  P.  inops,  Alton. — JERSEY  OR  SCRUB  PINE. — Leaves, 
2  to  3  inches  long,  short,  rigid,  seldom  in  threes,  with 
a  short  sheath.  Cones,  solitary,  oblong-ovoid,  2  or  3 
inches  in  length,  frequently  curved;  peduncle,  short. 
Scales,  armed  with  a  straight,  rigid  spine.  Branches, 
spreading  nnd  very  flexible",  with  a  rough,  dark  bark. 
Seeds,  small,  and  winged. 

This  common  native  Pine  is  found  very  abundantly  in 
many  of  the  interior  States  of  this  country,  and  especially 


\ 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  85 

where  the  soil  is  of  a  poor,  sandy  character ;  in  such  situa- 
tions it  grows  from  15  to  30  feet  high.  In  the  barren  sec- 
tions of  New  Jersey,  particularly,  this  species  covers 
large  tracts  of  waste  lands,  which  are  known  as  the  Pine 
barrens. 

Some  of  the  specimens  even  in  these  localities  are  quite 
handsome,  being  remarkable  for  the  pale  yellowish  twigs 
and  leaves,  and  in  many  instances  forming  fine  sized  trees 
of  regular  conical  shape,  although  the  large  majority  of 
them  are  but  small,  stunted  shrubs,  and  far  from  orna- 
mental. 

The  appearance  of  this  tree  is  peculiar  and  striking ; 
the  straggling  branches  are  covered  with  dark,  rough  bark ; 
the  young  shoots,  beautifully  tinged  with  violet ;  and  the 
whole  plant  is  almost  covered  with  exuding  resin,  which 
emits  a  pleasant  fragrance  or  balsamic  odor.  In  some 
parts  of  Kentucky  tar  is  obtained  from  this  tree,  but  for 
other  purposes  the  wood  is  of  little  value. 

We  cannot  recommend  it  for  ornamental  planting,  but 
in  a  large  collection,  one  or  two  well-grown  specimens 
would  not  be  amiss,  it  being  greatly  improved  by  generous 
cultivation.  A  noted  European  writer  has  said  that,  "  as 
in  Europe,  almost  all  the  American  Pines  can  only  be  con- 
sidered in  the  light  of  ornamental  trees,  this  species,  as 
such,  well  deserves  a  place  in  collections,  from  the  singu- 
larity of  its  form,  its  delightful  fragrance,  and  its  hardi- 
ness." We  are  afraid  our  cultivators  are  not  sufficiently 
interested  in  arboriculture,  however,  to  appreciate  these 
eulogistic  remarks. 


8,  P,  Laricio,  Poiret.  —  CORSICA^  PIXE. —  Leaves, 
from  4  to  6  inches  long,  slender,  very  wavy,  with  short 
sheaths.  Cones,  2  to  3  inches  or  more  in  length,  conical- 
oblong,  recurved  at  the  apex,  tawny  brown  in  color. 
Scales,  with  a  scarcely  perceptible  prickle.  Branches,  in 
regular  whorls,  spreading,  and  very  resinous.  Buds,  £  to 


SO  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

1  inch  long,  ovate,  ending  in  a  long  narrow  point.  Seeds, 
rather  large.  Cotyledons,  @  to  8. 

A  fine,  hardy  tree,  from  the  south  of  Europe,  in  the 
Island  of  Corsica,  etc.  Prof.  Tenore  mentions  vast  forests 
composed  of  this  species  on  the  Mountains  of  Sila,  in 
Calabria.  It  mostly  attains  a  height  varying  with  the 
situation,  from  80  to  100  feet ;  and  London  states  :  "  In 
the  Island  of  Corsica,  it  is  said  there  are  trees  of  this  spe- 
cies, from  140  to  150  feet  in  height."  On  Mt.  Etna,  it 
forms  forests  at  an  elevation  from  4000  to  6000  feet. 

This  species,  according  to  Loudon,  is  a  more  rapid 
grower  than  even  P.  sylvestris,'b\it  it  is  quite  a  short  lived 
tree,  the  duration  being  in  Corsica  but  from  70  to  80  years. 

From  the  many  instances  of  its  rapid  growth  given  in 
London's  Arboretum,  we  make  the  following  extracts:  — 

5  O 

"  The  rate  of  growth  in  the  climate  of  London  is  from  2 
feet  to  3  feet  in  a  year.  A  tree  in  the  Horticultural  Soci- 
ety's Garden,  having  been  12  years  planted,  was,  in  1834, 
20  feet  high,  and  is  now,  1837,  25  feet  high.  A  shoot  of 
the  year  1829,  with  part  of  1828,  cut  from  a  tree  5  years 
old,  on  M.  Yilmorin's  estate,  at  Barras,  and  sent  to  Mr. 
Lawson's  Museum,  measured  3  feet  in  length  and  3|-  inch- 
es in  circumference  at  the  thickest  end.  In  Loddiges' 
Arboretum,  this  species  and  its  varieties  had  attained  in 
1837  about  from  20  to  30  feet,  whilst  the  P.  sylvestris 
and  its  varieties  had  not  exceeded  12  feet.  In  France, 
according  to  Thouin,  P.  X/aricio  grows  two-thirds  faster 
than  the  Scotch  Pine,  placed  in  a  similar  soil  and  situation." 
For  lawn-planting,  the  Corsican  Pine  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  available  trees  that  we  have,  and  is  almost 
invariably  an  attractive  object  in  a  collection.  As  it  is  a 
native  of  warm  climates,  many  persons  suppose  it  will 
prove  too  tender  for  this  section,  but  so  far  as  we  have 
been -able  to  ascertain,  it  has  given  entire  satisfaction. 
The  long,  wavy  leaves  are  of  a  bright  green  color,  and 
the  perfect  shape  of  the  tree  has  always  produced  a  favor- 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  87 

able  impression  with  us,  and  we  wish  it  were  more 
extensively  known.  The  wood  is  quite  valuable  for  lum- 
ber, being  long-grained,  white,  easily  worked,  and  accord- 
ing to  some  authorities  very  durable. 

Var,  caramaiiica*  .London.  —  Syn.  P.  caramanica,  JBosc  / 
P.  caramaniensis,  Son  Jcird,  etc.  —  According  to  Loudon, 
this  variety  u  has  a  much  rounder  and  more  bushy 
head,  with  straight  or  nearly  straight  leaves,  slender 
branches,  reddish-colored  bark,  which  is  wholly  or  in  part 
covered  with  white  resin.  The  scales  of  the  cones,  which 
are  larger  than  those  of  P.  Larwlo  Oorsicana^  are  tipped 
with  a  harder  and  more  horny  point." 

Our  own  specimen,  although  quite  small,  is  nevertheless 
distinct  from  the  species. 

Var,  CalaMca,  Delamarre.  —  From  the  mountains  of 
Sila,  in  Calabria,  where  it  forms  a  fine-sized  tree,  with  the 
branches  densely  clothed  with  leaves  that  are  longer  than 
those  of  the  common  form.  It  is  quite  hardy  here,  and 
will  doubtless  prove  desirable  and  distinct. 

Var,  COntorta,  mentioned  in  Gordon's  Pinetum,  we 
have  not  seen.  It  is  described  by  that  author  as  "  having 
its  lateral  branches  contorted  or  twisted  round  in  different 
directions." 


Var,  pyglihTa,  Rauch.  —  Is  a  very  curious  little  dwarf 
variety,  that  is  quite  pretty  for  ornamental  shrubbery. 
The  branches  almost  trail  along  the  ground,  and  beai 
short,  rigid,  curled  leaves. 

There  are  other  varieties  of  this  species  that  vary  so  lit- 
tle from  the  original  as  to  be  unworthy  of  perpetuation, 
excepting  in  the  collection  of  the  enthusiast  ;  and  even  in 
these,  should  the  labels  become  accidentally  lost,  the  owner 
would  be  at  loss  to  identify  the  varieties,  and  probably 
soon  be  convinced  that  he  had  simply  duplicates  of  the 
true  species. 


88  THE    BOOK    OP   EVEEGEEEXS. 

9.  P.  mitis,  Michaux. — SHOET-LEAVED  YELLOW  PINE. 
— Syn.  P.  variabilis,  Pursh. — Leaves,  from  3  to  5  inches 
long,  with  long  sheaths,  slender,  channelled,  and  dark 
green  color.  Cones,  oval  or  conical-oblong,  nearly  2  inch- 
es in  length,  usually  solitary,  light  brown  color,  Avith  a 
short  incurved  spine  on  each  scale;  peduncle,  short  and 
stout.  Seeds,  quite  small,  with  reddish  wings. 

This  valuable  native  tree  is  found  in  various  sections  of 
our  country  from  'New  England  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
In  New  Jersey,  especially,  it  is  quite  common  and  may  be 
frequently  seen  in  large  numbers  with  P.  inops.  In  the 
generality  of  cases  it  prefers  a  poor,  sandy  soil,  although 
occasionally  flourishing  in  fertile  places.  On  a  mod- 
erately rich,  well-drained  surface,  it  forms  a  beautiful  spec- 
imen, not  unlike  in  appearance  to  many  of  the  rare  Mexi- 
can species;  and  in  f-ict,  with  careful  cultivation,  and 
sufficient  space  to  develop  its  peculiar  natural  beauty,  the 
P.  mitis  will  compare  very  favorably  with  the  majority  of 
these  much-extolled  and  tender  strangers. 

It  varies  considerably  in  height  with  the  quality  of  the 
soil  and  in  the  situation  where  it  is  found ;  but  the  medium 
size  is  probably  about  50  feet.  According  to  Meehan's 
Hand-book  of  Ornamental  Trees,  the  Bartram  specimen  is 
90  feet  high,  and  four  feet  eight  inches  in  circumference ; 
it  is  growing  on  a  dry,  gravelly  soil,  with  a  rocky  bottom. 

The  timber  furnished  by  this  species  is  very  valuable, 
although  inferior  in  quality  to  the  Long-leaved  Yellow 
Pine,  (P.  australis,)  but  readily  commands  a  good  price 
not  only  in  our  own  markets,  but  in  those  of  European 
ports,  and  in  consequence  has  been  quite  largely  exported. 
The  wood  is  fine-grained,  and  when  devoid  of  the  sap  or 
outer  portion,  is  remarkably  durable.  The  timber  is 
especially  valuable  in  ship  building,  being  excellent  for 
mnsts,  spars,  etc.,  and  is  consequently  in  great  demand 
for  those  purposes.  The  resinous  properties  of  the  species 
are  not  of  sufficient  interest  to  make  it  valuable  on  that 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  89 

account,  although  yielding  a  fair  proportion  of  tar  and 
turpentine. 

In  a  comparison  of  the  opinions  of  Michaux  and  Lam- 
bert, in  regard  to  the  value  of  the  products  of  this  Pine, 
Loudon  gives  the  following  extracts.  "  Though  this  spe- 
cies," Michaux  observes,  "  yields  turpentine  and  tar,  their 
extraction  demands  too  much  labor,  as  this  Pine  is  always 
mingled  in  the  forest  with  other  trees."  Lambert,  on  the 
contrary,  asserts  that  "the  wood  has  a  sponginess  and 
lightness  which  deprives  it  of  durability,  and  renders  it 
useless  in  building,  or,  indeed,  for  any  purposes  of  a  simi- 
lar kind ;  but  it  is  tolerably  full  of  resin,  so  that  the 
Americans  employ  it  for  its  tar  and  pitch." 

In  an  ornamental  point  of  view,  it  compares  very  favor- 
ably with  the  majority  of  our  cultivated  foreign  species. 
The  handsome,  conical-shaped  head  has  given  it  the  name 
of  Spruce  Pine;  in  some  sections  such  may  possibly  be 
the  P.  glabra,  of  Walter.  The  peculiar  richness  in  the 
coloring  of  the  leaves,  softly  merging  from  a  bright  blu- 
ish green  to  the  darkest  hue,  in  the  alternate  changes  of 
light  and  shade,  is  really  charming. 

The  leaves  are  very  fine,  slender,  and  flexible,  and  im- 
part a  peculiar  beauty  to  the  tree,  which  is  not  met  with 
in  any  other  Pine  that  is  a  native  of  the  Northern  or  Mid- 
dle States,  excepting,  perhaps,  a  chance  specimen  of  P. 
rigida.  On  this  account,  a  recent  writer  in  recommend- 
ing h  for  cultivation,  very  appropriately  compared  it  to 
the  Austrian  Pine,  and  says  :  "  so  far  from  being  naturally 
a  scraggy  tree,  it  thickens-in  more  naturally  than  any  Pine 
I  know." 

A  peculiarity  in  this  species  is,  that  when  growing  very 
luxuriantly  in  rather  rich  soils,  the  leaves  will  often  be 
found  three  in  a  sheath,  thus  giving  rise  to  the  synonym 
of  Pursh,  P.  variaMUs,  as  well  as  the  P.  intermedia,  of 
Fischer,  being  deemed  intermediate,  or  as  a  connecting  link 
between  the  Binae  and  Ternatse  sections.  Loudon  also 


90  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

appears  to  have  been  misinformed  in  regard  to  the  true 
species,  or,  as  is  very  probable,  has  overlooked  this  dispo- 
sition of  the  leaves  to  sport  into  threes ;  for  he  says  in  his 
description  of  this  species :  — 

"  The  P.  variabilis  of  Lambert's  Pinus,  is  unquestion- 
ably a  totally  different  plant  from  the  P.  mitis,  of  Mich- 
aux ;  being  without  the  violet-colored  glaucous  bloom  on 
the  young  shoots,  having  rigid  leaves,  generally  in  threes, 
and  a  cone  with  very  strong  prickles  like  that  of  P.  Twda, 
to  which  species  we  have  referred  it."  We  have  occasionally 
seen  specimens  that  were  entirely  devoid  of  the  violet  color 
on  the  young  shoots  as  above  referred  to,  and  in  fact,  very 
different  from  the  species  in  many  minor  points,  but  yet 
grown  from  the  same  tree  as  others  that  had  every  peculi- 
arity of  P.  mitis  fully  developed.  P.  mitis  appears  more 
nearly  allied  to  P.  inops  than  any  other,  and  young  plants 
of  each  are  extremely  difficult  to  be  distinguished. 

10.  P.  Mugho,  JBauhin.  —  MUGHO  PIXE. —  Syn.  P. 
Mughus,  London.  —  P.  sylvestris  Mugho,  Bauhin.  — 
Leaves,  nearly  2  inches  long,  rigid,  twisted,  dark  green 
color.  Cones,  conical,  shorter  than  the  leaves,  sessile,  very 
resinous,  generally  in  pairs,  with  the  scales  ending  in  a 
pyramidal,  quadrangular  recurved  spine.  Sterile  aments, 
almost  sessile,  and  the  anthers  surmounted  by  an  oval, 
membranaceous  crest.  Branches,  very  numerous  and  as- 
cending, thickly  covered  with  leaves  and  a  light  colored 
bark. 

This  dwarfish  tree,  or  shrub,  has  been  the  subject  of 
many  mistakes,  not  only  in  nomenclature,  but  by  venders 
distributing  all  kinds  of  stunted  Pines  under  this  name. 
But  the  great  majority  of  mistakes  have  occurred  by  con- 
founding the  true  species  with  its  var.  rostrata,  under  the 
common  name  or  synonym  of  P.  montana,  and  also  with 
the  P.  pumilio  /  they  are  so  very  similar  in  general  ap- 
pearance, that  in  the  absence  of  the  cones,  it  is  a  difficult 
task  to  distinguish  them.  We  follow  Gordon  in  his  clas- 
sification of  the  varieties. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  91 

The  P.  Mugho  forms  a  small  tree  about  25  feet  in 
height,  but  is  occasionally  only  a  large  shrub.  "  M.  Vil- 
lars  observes  that,  when  it  grows  on  the  summits  of  moun- 
tains, it  is  a  mere  bush ;  but  that,  as  it  descends  to  the 
plains,  it  becomes  a  tree."  (Loudon.) 

It  is  from  the  mountains  of  Central  Europe,  and  is  found 
growing  on  the  Pyrenees  and  Alps.  Although,  of  too 
small  a  size  to  produce  valuable  timber,  the  wood  is  never- 
theless very  close-grained  and  durable,  and  of  a  bright  red 
color. 

In  ornamental  plantations,  we  have  seen  this  Pine  used 
to  excellent  advantage,  particularly  where  a  mass  of  per- 
sistent foliage  was  desired.  The  dark  green  color  of  the 
leaves,  in  conjunction  with  the  great  density  of  the  whole 
plant,  admirably  adapts  it  to  this  purpose.  It  is  quite  as 
hardy  as  our  own  native  species,  enduring  the  greatest  de- 
gree of  cold,  and  the  most  severe  winds  that  visit  our 
latitude,  with  perfect  impunity. 

Gordon  arranges  the  hitherto  numerous  varieties  of  this 
species,  as  follows  : 

Var.  rostrata,  Antoine.  —  Syn.  P.  montana,  Bau- 
mann  ;  P.  sylvestris  uncinata,  Wlddrington. — This  vari- 
ety is  said  to  be  found  on  the  upper  zone,  or  line,  of  the 
forest  vegetation  of  the  Pyrenees.  Capt.  "Widdrington 
states  that  "this  Pine  is  extremely  valuable  from  its  hard- 
iness, as  well  as  for  the  resinous  quality  and  great  dura- 
bility of  its  timber."  He  also  remarks :  "  As  an  orna- 
mental tree  it  will  be  highly  desirable,  from  the  intensely 
dark  green  of  its  foliage,  as  well  as  the  close  and  solid 
mass  it  forms ;  and  the  habit  of  the  tree,  where  left  at 
liberty,  to  throw  out  massive  arms  trailing  on  the  ground, 
a  quality  so  unusual  in  its  class." 

It  forms  a  small  tree  about  thirty  feet  high,  and  produc- 
es cones,  with  the  scales  greatly  elevated,  hooked  at  the 
points,  and  larger  than  those  of  the  species. 

Var.  rotundata,  Link. — P.  montana,  Wahlenberg.— 


92  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

Has  a  more  upright  growth  than  the  species,  with  round- 
ish cones,  and  a  straight,  distinct  leading  stem.  It  is 
from  the  Tyrol,  where  it  forms  a  small  tree. 

Var.  llliginosa,  Wimmer.  —  Syn.  P.  Fischeri,  Booth. 
— "  This  is  the  Austrian  form  of  P.  Muylio,  but  very  much 
more  robust  in  stature,  forming  a  handsome  pyramidal 
small  tree." 

Var,  liana,  London.  —  KNEE  PINE. — London,  in  his 
"Arboretum,"  places  this  as  a  variety  of  P.purnilio,  and 
describes  it  as  follows:  "The  Knee  Pine  of  the  Styrian 
Alps  never  grows  above  3  feet  high.  A  plant  has  been 
in  the  Trinity  College  Botanic  Garden,  Dublin,  since  1817, 
and,  in  twenty  years,  it  has  not  attained  a  greater  height 
than  an  ordinary-sized  man's  knee." 

11,  P,  muricata,  D.  Don. — BISHOP'S  PINE. — Syn.  P. 
Murrayana,  JBalfour. — P.  Edgariana,  ffartweg. — Leaves, 
from  3  to  4  inches  long,  from  a  medium  sized  sheath,  rigid, 
stout,  bright  green  color.  Cones,  3  inches  long,  ovate,  in 
clusters,  crowded,  with  thick,  wedge-shaped  scales,  that 
are  mucronated,  with  an  elevated  umbilicus.  Branches, 
irregularly  spreading,  with  small  acute  buds.  Seeds, 
small,  dark  brown. 

This  curious  Pine  is  a  native  of  Upper  California,  and 
according  to  ISTuttall,  was  discovered  by  Dr.  Coulter,  at 
San  Luis  Obispo,  in  latitude  35°,  and  at  an  elevation  of 
3000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  distant  about  ten 
miles.  The  height  is  generally  about  30  or  40  feet,  and  it 
grows  very  straight,  with  a  somewhat  stunted  appearance. 
The  strangest  peculiarity  about  this  species  is  in  the 
"  squarrose  spreading  of  the  basilar  scales,  which  present 
long  and  sharp  points  in  all  directions." 

We  are  not  aware  of  this  tree  having  been  tested  in 
this  country,  although  it  has  proven  hardy  in  England ; 
but  we  cannot  see  anything  to  prevent  it  from  succeeding 
as  satisfactorily  with  us,  as  many  Conifers  from  the  same 
locality  flourish  here  with  perfect  hardiness.  It  is  true, 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  93 

the  P.  insignis,  a  native  of  the  same  section,  aud  often 
found  growing  in  close  proximity  to  this  species,  will  not 
succeed  here  under  the  most  careful  treatment ;  and  the 
Bishop's  Pine  may  unfortunately  be  of  the  same  temper- 
ament, although  we  sincerely  hope  to  the  contrary. 

Hartweg  found  it  growing  on  the  western  declivity  of 
the  mountains  near  Monterey,  and  within  two  miles  of  the 
sea-shore ;  and  afterward  at  a  considerable  distance  to  the 
south  of  the  same  place,  on  the  ascent  to  the  Mission  of 
La  Purissirna,  where  the  trees  were  of  rather  small  size. 

Jeffrey  met  with  it  on  the  Siskiyou  Mountains,  at  an 
elevation  of  7500  feet,  near  the  summit  of  the  mountain, 
growing  in  damp  soil.  Of  the  value  of  the  wood,  we 
have  no  account. 

12,  P,  Pallasiana,  Lambert.  —  PALLAS'  PINE,  TAR- 
TARIAN PINE,  TATJRTAN  PINE. — Syn.  P.  Laricio  Pallasi- 
ana, London. — P.  Taurica,  Hort. — P.  maritima,  Pallas, 
etc. — Leaves,  from  4  to  8  inches  in  length,  from  a  short 
sheath,  erect,  rigid,  acute,  channelled,  light  shining  green 
color.  Cones,  4  to  5  inches  long,  oblong,  often  curved, 
sessile,  solitary  or  in  small  clusters ;  the  scales  resembling 
those  of  P.  Laricio,  but  larger  and  terminating  in  a  small 
prickle.  Seeds,  medium  size,  obovate ;  with  broad,  slen- 
der, membranaceous  wings. 

"  P.  Pallasiana  is  confined  to  the  central  regions  of  the 
Crimea,  forming  considerable  forests  on  the  western  decliv- 
ity of  the  chain  of  lofty  mountains  which  extends  along 
the  coast  of  the  Black  Sea.  It  was  first  introduced  into 
England  by  Messrs.  Lee  &  Kennedy,  of  the  Hammersmith 
Nursery,  who  raised  a  number  of  plants  from  seeds  sent 
to  them  by  Prof.  Pallas,  from  the  Crimea,  about  1790,  and 
it  was  sold  by  them  as  P.  Tartar  ica"  (Loudon.) 

Plants  raised  from  the  above  seeds  were  set  out  at 
Boyton,  and  are  now  from  60  to  70  feet  in  height.  Oth- 
ers planted  at  White  Knights  by  the  Duke  of  Marlbor- 
ough,  are  from  50  to  60  feet  in  height. 


94  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

"  As  an  ornamental  tree,"  says  London,  "  P.  Pallasiana 
deserves  a  place  in  every  collection ; "  and  Lambert  ob- 
serves :  "  Of  all  pines,  this  is  the  best  adapted  for  thin 
chalky  soils,  and  maritime  situations."  We  have  had  it 
in  cultivation  for  several  years,  and,  for  its  distinct  habit 
of  growth  and  great  hardiness,  have  been  induced  to  rec- 
ommend it;  and  should  the  adult  trees  prove  as  satisfac- 
tory as  the  young  plants  promise,  it  will  probably  be  one 
of  our  finest  ornamental  pines." 

Loudon,  who,  evidently,  has  never  seen  large  plants, 
labors  under  a  mistake  in  confounding  it  with  the  P. 
Laricio  ;  the  two  are  now  considered  botanically  dis- 
tinct, and  are  at  least  quite  unlike  in  general  appearance. 
In  Sargent's  edition  of  Downing's  Landscape  Gardening, 
(the  editor  of  which  has  probably  a  wrong  plant),  it  is 
described  as  "  not  very  distinctive,  as  it  resembles  exceed- 
ingly our  White  Pine."  With  us,  it  has  the  same  habit 
of  growth  that  marks  the  Austrian  Pine ;  and,  in  fact,  so 
nearly  approaches  that  species  in  many  leading  character- 
istics, as  to  induce  some  acute  arboriculturists  to  believe 
it  would  prove  to  be  a  variety  of  P.  Austriaca. 

"According  to  Prof.  Pallas,  the  wood  is  very  knotty  and 
resinous,  and  very  durable,  but  difficult  to  form  into  good 
planks  on  account  of  the  number  of  its  knobs." — (London.} 

13.    P.   Pinaster,  Aiton.  —  CLUSTER    PINE. — Syn.   P. 

Nepalensis,  Eoyle. — P.  maritima,  Lamarck. — P.  Latteri, 
Madden. — P.  Japonica  and  P.  St.  Helenica,  Loudon. — P. 
Chinensis,  Knight. — P.  Nova  Hollandica  and  P.  Nova 
Zealandica,  Loddiges,  etc. — Leaves,  from  6  inches  to  1 
foot  long,  from  medium  sized  sheaths,  rigid,  stout,  dark 
green  color.  Cones,  from.  4  to  6  inches  long,  conical,  ses- 
sile, clustered,  with  broad,  ash-colored,  pyramidal  scales, 
that  terminate  in  a  small  sharp  point.  Branches,  in 
whorls,  stout,  with  rather  long,  imbricated,  pointed  woolly 
buds,  that  are  devoid  of  resin.  Seeds,  oblong,  medium, 
with  large  Avings.  Cotyledons,  7  or  8. 
This  beautiful  species,  with  all  possible  care,  is  exceed- 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  95 

ingly  unsatisfactory,  and  cannot  be  depended  upon  in  the 
Northern  and  Middle  States.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Medi- 
terranean coast,  and  is  found  in  almost  every  country 
bordering  on  that  sea,  as  well  as  in  the  north  of  Africa, 
and  in  portions  of  Asia,  although  some  writers  contend  it 
is  an  introduced  plant  in  these  latter  places. 

The  Cluster  Pine  is  generally  found  growing  from  fifty 
to  seventy-five  feet  in  height,  and  forms  a  remarkably 
handsome  shaped  tree.  On  the  sandy  plains  in  the  Apen- 
nine  range  of  mountains,  this  tree  flourishes  with  unusual 
vigor,  and  in  many  sections  of  that  region  of  country, 
tracts  of  sandy,  waste  places  have  been  planted  with  it, 
that  now  yield  annually  a  large  quantity  of  wood  for  fuel, 
as  well  as  an  inferior  article  of  lumber. 

On  calcareous  soils,  however,  it  has  been  asserted  that 
this  species  will  not  thrive,  an  idea  it  would  be  well  to  bear 
in  mind  before  testing  its  availability.  It  is  a  valuable 
auxiliary  to  those  residing  near  the  sea-shore  where  many 
plants  refuse  to  thrive,  as  the  salt  breezes  in  those  localities 
do  not  aifect  it  in  the  least. 

The  vast  extent  of  country  in  which  this  pine  has  been 
detected,  as  well  as  the  number  of  varieties  and  different 
forms  of  growth  it  assumes,  have  given  rise  to  a  multipli- 
city of  synonyms,  which  many  of  our  best  authorities 
have  added  to ;  but  justice  to  their  discrimination  demands 
that  the  fact  of  so  great  a  diversity  of  names,  by  such 
observing  and  intelligent  botanists,  should  be  attributed 
to  the  species  having  manifestly  different  habits  and  pecu- 
i  liarities  in  the  various  countries  where  it  has  been  found. 

Var,  Hamilton!!,  Tenore. — LORD  ABERDEEN'S  PINE. — 
Syn.  var.  escarenus,  Loudon. — P.  escarena,  Risso,  etc. — 
According  to  Loudon,  "  The  leaves  are  of  a  paler  green 
than  those  of  the  species,  but  they  are  equally  long  and 
strong.  The  cones  are  shorter,  and  more  ovate."  This  is 
the  most  distinct  and  handsome  variety  of  P.  Pinaster 


06  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

that  we  have  seen ;  it  was  first  introduced  into  Britain  by 
the  Earl  of  Aberdeen,  in  1825." 

Var.  Lemoniana,  London. — The  same  authority  says 
of  this  variety  that  it  "  is  also  a  very  distinct  variety,  but 
quite  the  opposite  of  the  last,  being  a  stunted,  bulky 
plant,  with  zigzag,  close,  and  twiggy  branches,  and  stand- 
ing apparently  in  the  same  relation  to  P.  Pinaster  that  P. 
pumilio  does  to  P.  sylvestris"  He  also  adds :  " There  is 
nothing  dwarfish  or  diseased  in  its  appearance,  nor  does 
it  exhibit  any  peculiarities  of  constitution  to  which  other 
pines  are  not  subject." 

Var.  minor,  London. — Syn.  P.  maritima  minor,  Du 
Samel. — Is,  according  to  London,  a  "  variety  which  is 
chiefly  distinguished  by  the  somewhat  smaller  size  of  its 
cones,  being  from  3J  inches  to  4  inches  long,  and  If  inches 
broad,  and  is  said  by  Bosc  to  be  produced  by  a  colder 
climate,  and  to  abound  on  the  west  coast  of  France,  espe- 
cially on  the  barren  sands  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mans, 
and  to  be  hardier  than  the  species." 

Var.  foliis  Yariegatis,  Loudon.-^-Syn.  var.  variegata, 
G-ordon. — "  Was  discovered  by  Mr.  Cree,  the  founder  of 
the  Addlestone  Nursery,  towards  the  end  of  the  last  cen- 
tuiy."  The  young  shoots  and  foliage  are  rather  prettily 
striped  with  straw  color. 

A  number  of  other  varieties  are  also  noticed  by  Loudon ; 
but  later  authors,  among  whom  is  Gordon,  class  them  as 
synonyms  of  the  species;  the  above  may  not  prove  more 
hardy  than  the  common  form,  but  are  worthy  of  a  trial 
by  all  interested  in  this  genus. 

14,  P,  Pinea,  Linnceus. — STONE  PINE. — Leaves,  from 
5  to  7  or  8  inches  long,  with  short,  lacerated  sheaths ; 
stout,  of  a  deep  green  color.  Cones,  5  or  6  inches  in 
length,  ovate,  obtuse,  glossy,  light  brown  in  color ;  with 
large,  woody  scales,  terminating  in  a  recurved,  deciduous, 
blunt  prickle.  Seeds,  large  (f  inch  long),  nut-like,  edible, 
5 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  97 

with  a  broad  wing,  one  inch  long.     Cotyledons,  9  to  11. 
(Crest  of  the  anthers  jagged.     Smith.) 

We  only  mention  this  beautiful  species  for  the  purpose 
of  inducing  those  favored  with  a  milder  climate  than  our 
own  to  give  it  a  fair  trial. 

It  will  not  grow  here  with  the  least  hope  of  success, 
but  in  its  native  habitat,  the  countries  of  Southern  Europe, 
it  forms  a  splendid  tree,  and  adds  vastly  'to  the  effect  in 
picturesque  landscapes. 

In  England  this  pine  rarely  exceeds  20  or  30  feet  in 
height,  but  when  cultivated  in  many  sections  along  the 
Mediterranean,  its  height  varies  from  50  to  60  feet.  The 
specimen  in  the  Evans'  Arboretum  is  about  6  feet  high, 
and  has  managed  to  survive  several  winters  without  arti- 
ficial protection,  but  is  nevertheless  devoid  of  beauty, 
owing  to  the  sickly  appearance  of  the  foliage. 

In  noticing  the  nutritious  properties  of  its  seeds,  Loudon 
gives  the  following  instances :  "  The  kernel  of  the  fruit 
has  a  taste  which  approaches  to  that  of  the  hazel-nut,  and, 
in  France  and  Italy,  is  much  esteemed  for  the  dessert. 
Sir  George  Staunton  mentions  that  the  kernels  of  the  Stone 
Pine  are  also  much  relished  by  the  Chinese.  In  Italy  they 
are  put  into  several  kinds  of  ragouts,  and  they  prove  ex- 
cellent in  sugar  plums  instead  of  almonds.  In  Provence, 
they  are  extensively  consumed  along  with  Corinth  raisins, 
the  dried  currants  of  the  shops.  The  kernels  require  to 
be  kept  in  the  cone  till  they  are  about  to  be  used,  because 
they  become  speedily  rancid  when  taken  out  and  exposed 
to  the  air.  In  the  cone  they  will  preserve  their  vitality, 
their  freshness,  and  their  taste,  5  or  6  years." 

Loudon  and  Gordon  mention  Var.  fragilis,  Du  Harriet, 
with  a  thin-shelled  seed ;  and  Var.  Cretica,  London^  with 
very  large  cones  and  slender  leaves,  as  somewhat  distinct. 
The  latter  forms  a  much  larger  tree  than  the  species. 

There  are  a  number  of  unimportant  synonyms  attached 
to  this  pine  by  various  authors. 
5 


98  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

15,  P.   pumilio,   Hwnke. — DWARF   PINE,   MOUNTAIN 
PINE. — Syn.  P.  sylvestris  pumilio,  London. — P.  sylvestris 
montana,  Alton. — P.  Tartarica,  Miller. — Leaves,  2  or  &J- 
inches  long,  short,  stiff,  somewhat  twisted,  thickly  distrib- 
uted over  the  branches ;  with  long,  lacerated,  woolly,  white 
sheaths.     Cones,  from  1-J  to  2  inches  long,  reddish,  or  dark 
purplish-brown  when  young,  and  dull  brown  when  mature  ; 
when  young,   erect,    when   mature,   pointing    outwards. 
Buds,  ovate,  blunt,  resinous.     Scales  and  seeds  resembling 
those  of  P.  sylvestris,  but  smaller.     Cotyledons,  5  to  7. 
(London's  Arboretum.) 

A  dwarf  species  from  the  Alps  of  Middle  Europe,  from 
an  elevation  of  4000  to  7500  feet.  It  prefers  a  damp  soil ; 
when  on  dry,  sandy  bottoms,  it  never  produces  its  remark- 
able density  of  growth,  or  dark,  healthy  green  color.  It 
will  occasionally  attain  to  the  height  of  twenty  feet,  but 
in  the  generality  of  cases  is  but  a  small  creeping  shrub, 
with  horizontal,  trailing,  and  recurved  branches,  and  form- 
ing a  dense  mass  of  wood  and  foliage. 

It  is  chiefly  found  above  the  regions  of  the  taller  trees, 
and  in  such  instances  is  invariably  small.  Some  writers 
speak  rather  disparagingly  of  its  merits  as  an  evergreen 
shrub,  and  indeed,  in  this  country  it  has  never,' until  re- 
cently, received  that  encouragement  which  it  justly  de- 
serves ;  but  thanks  to  an  increasing  taste  for  horticultural 
pursuits,  it  has  lately  become  quite  popular. 

With  generous  treatment  to  allow  of  a  perfect  develop- 
ment, it  has  always  been  an  especial  favorite  with  us,  and  one 
which  we  would  not  readily  dispense  with.  It  is  very  hardy, 
withstanding  our  coldest  winters  without  protection  of  any 
kind,  and  grows  rapidly.  It  may  be  readily  propagated 
from  seeds,  which  are  generally  imported  and  sold  by  our 
seedsmen  at  a  comparatively  low  price. 

The  wood  is  very  resinous,  and  is  said  to  produce  the 
Hungarian  Balsam. 

16.  P.   pungens9   Michaux. — TABLE-MOUNTAIN  PINE. 
— Leaves,  2%  inches  long,  from  small,  smooth  sheaths; 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY. 


99 


rigid,  stout,  pale  green  color.  Cones,  3  inches  long,  yel- 
lowish-brown, ovate,  sessile,  clustered  in  whorls;  with 
thick,  woody  scales,  armed  at  the  apex  with  stout  prickles, 
which  are  incurved  on  the  upper  scales,  and  recurved  on 
the  lower  ones.  Branches,  rigid  and  irregular ;  with  cy- 
lindrical, obtuse,  brownish  buds,  covered  with  white  resin. 


Fig.  13. — CONE  OF  PINUS  PUNGENS. 

Seeds,  rather  small  and  very  dark  colored. 
to  8. 


Cotyledons,  6 


This  species,  in  favorable  soils,  attains  the  height  of  from 
40  to  50  feet,  and  is  confined  to  a  somewhat  limited  habit- 
at. It  is  found  on  the  "mountains,  rarely  west  of  the 
Blue  Ridge,  Georgia  to  North  Carolina,  and  northward." 
(Chapman.) 

In  regard  to  this  limitation  Michaux,  in  describing  it, 


100  THE    BOOK    OF   EVEKGEEENS. 

remarks  as  follows :  "  Of  all  the  forest  trees  of  America, 
this  species  alone  is  restricted  to  such  narrow  limits,  and 
it  will  probably  be  among  the  first  to  become  extinct,  as 
the  mountains  which  produce  it  are  easy  of  access,  are 
favored  with  a  salubrious  air  and  a  fertile  soil,  and  are  rap- 
idly peopling ;  besides  which  their  forests  are  frequently 
ravaged  by  fire."  But  Nuttall,  in  his  description,  says : 
"The  quantity  of  this  species  on  the  Table  Mountain,  and 
on  a  wide  stretch  of  high  mountains  for  many  miles  north 
and  south  of  this  locality,  is  very  great,  and  no  apprehen- 
sions need  be  entertained,  nor  is  there  the  most  distant 
probability,  of  its  ever  "being  extirpated  by  the  puny  hand 
of  man."  Such  difference  of  opinion  between  these  au- 
thorities is  somewhat  remarkable ;  but  in  the  case  of  the  lat- 
ter, his  superior  advantages  for  examining  the  trees  in  their 
native  locality  entitle  his  description  to  the  greater  credit. 
Later  investigations  have  proven  that  it  extends  over  quite 
a  large  tract,  forming  a  dense  growth  of  a  peculiar  light 
green  color,  which  is  observable  for  a  great  distance. 

JSTuttall  says :  "  On  the  vast  precipices,  slopes,  impend- 
ing rocks  and  chasms  of  the  Linville,  a  branch  of  the  Ca- 
tawba,  it  darkens  the  whole  horizon  and  presents  an  im- 
posing mass  of  intense  and  monotonous  verdure.  It  gen- 
erally occupies  the  summits  of  the  highest  rocky  ridges, 
and  sweeps  over  the  most  dangerous  and  inaccessible  de- 
clivities to  the  margin  of  precipices,  some  of  which,  over- 
hanging the  cove  of  Linville,  are  at  least  1000  feet 
perpendicular." 

The  timber  is  not  particularly  prized,  and  the  resin  not 
of  sufficient  value  for  manufacturing  purposes.  The  out- 
line and  general  appearance  of  the  tree  bears  quite  a 
strong  resemblance  to  the  Scotch  Pine,  excepting  in  the 
color  of  the  leaves. 

A  peculiar  feature  of  this  pine  is  the  great  length  of 
time  which  the  cones  remain  on  the  branches,  and  being 
generally  in  whorls,  they  create  an  odd  effect.  Loudon  in- 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  101 

forms  us :  "  At  Dropmore  there  are  cones  adhering  to  the 
trunk  and  to  large  branches  of  more  than  20  years  growth, 
giving  the  tree  a  very  singular  appearance,  and  rendering 
its  trunk  easily  distinguishable,  even  at  a  distance,  from 
those  of  all  others  of  the  Pine  tribe."  He  also  says : 
"  In  Britain,  P.  pungens  can  only  be  considered  as  an  or- 
namental tree ;  but,  from  the  singularity  of  its  cones,  it 
well  deserves  a  place  in  every  pinetum."  We  desire  to 
add  that  solitary  specimens  of  this  pine  are  occasionally 
very  handsome,  and  when  covered  with  their  curious  masses 
of  cones  of  different  ages,  the  effect  is  very  striking. 
Moreover,  it  is  a  native  tree  which  has  been  sadly  neglect- 
ed heretofore,  and  we  desire  to  encourage  its  dissemination. 

17.  P.  Pyrenaica,  La  Peyrouse. — PYKENEAST  Pro:. 
— Syn.  P.  Laricio  Pyrenaica,  London. — P.  Hispanica, 
Cook. — P.  penicellus,  La  Peyrouse,  with  numerous  others. 
— Leaves,  from  5  to  7  inches  long,  from  a  long  sheath, 
stiff,  crowded  in  tufts  at  the  extremities  of  the  shoots, 
pale  green  color.  Cones,  &J  inches  long,  conical-oblong, 
generally  solitary,  short  peduncled,  smooth,  light  •  yellow 
color,  and  standing  horizontally  to  the  branches.  Scales, 
mostly  spineless,  small.  Seeds,  small,  with  a  narrow  wing. 

This  beautiful  hardy  pine,  known  by  some  twelve  or 
fourteen  synonyms,  forms  a  valuable  addition  to  our  col- 
lections. 

It  comes  from  the  forests  of  France  and  Spain,  often  oc- 
cupying the  highest  ranges  of  their  mountains;  and  not- 
withstanding the  great  difference  in  temperature,  it  has 
proven  entirely  reliable  in  this  country,  and  may  eventu- 
ally be  one  of  our  most  valuable  ornamental  trees.  It 
grows  from  60  to  80  feet  high,  is  of  a  regular  conical  form, 
quite  compact  in  shape,  and  distinct  in  appearance. 

London's  synonym  of  this  plant,  P.  Laricio  Pyrenaica> 
is  a  misnomer,  the  true  plant  being  specifically  distinct 
from  P.  Laricio,  and  also  very  unlike  P.  Strobus^  as  unfor- 
tunately described  by  another  author.  The  species  under 


102  THE    BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

notice  has  more  the  appearance  of  P.  Austriaca,  with 
light  colored  foliage,  and  like  it,  will  undoubtedly  prove 
popular.  We  lately  heard  a  discriminating  botanist  as- 
sert that  the  Pyrenean  Pine  formed  one  of  the  finest  speci- 
mens of  the  genus,  and  as  such  he  intended  to  recommend  it. 

Loudon  states  that  "  Capt.  Cook,  who  introduced  this 
species  in  1834,  found  it  occupying  the  highest  range  of 
the  extensive  forests  of  the  Sierra  de  Segura,  in  the  south 
of  Spain,  where  it  overtops  P.  Salepensis,  and  in  a  corre- 
sponding situation  in  the  vast  forest  region  of  the  Sierra 
de  Cuen9a,  on  the  river  Gabriel,  in  Upper  Aragon,  where 
it  forms  extensive  forests;  but  La  Peyrouse  appears  to 
have  only  found  it  in  the  Pyrenees."  Capt.  Cook,  M. 
Peyrouse,  and  others,  have  described  this  species  under 
different  names ;  hence  the  great  number  of  synonyms  and 
consequent  confusion  in  regard  to  its  proper  position  in  a 
scientific  classification. 

Capt.  Cook,  in  his  description,  says  "  it  is  quite  hardy, 
of  quick  growth,  and  will,  from  its  noble  appearance,  the 
beauty  of  its  form,  and  the  clear,  transparent  color  of  both 
the  bark  and  foliage,  be  a  vast  acquisition  to  our  park  scen- 
ery. The  timber  is  white  and  dry,  being  nearly  without 
turpentine,  but  the  cones  exude  a  most  delicious  balsamic 
odor.  It  is  one  of  the  species  described  in  the  book  of 
Arab  agriculture,  written  by  a  Moor  of  Seville,  in  1200, 
and  translated  by  Banqueri." 

18,  P.  resinosa,  Alton. — RED  PINE. — Syn.  P.  rubra, 
Michaux. — P.  Canadensis  bifolia,  Du  Jfamel. — Leaves,  5 
to  6  inches  in  length,  semicylindrical,  from  long  sheaths, 
rigid,  straight,  elongated,  dark  green  color.  Cones,  2 
inches  long,  ovoid-conical,  usually  in  clusters,  short  pedun- 
cled,  writh  pointless  scales.  Branches,  with  smoothish,  red 
bark,  and  long,  acute,  resinous,  buds. 

This  tree  varies  in  size,  being  from  50  to  80  feet  high,  and 
is  found  from  Pennsylvania  northward  through  Canada, 
Nova,  Scotia,  etc.  The  specific  name  is  derived  from  the 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  103 

great  quantity  of  resinous  matter  contained  in  every  por- 
tion of  the  wood,  although  not  so  abundantly  as  in  P. 
rigida. 

The  common  name  is  in  allusion  to  the  color  of  the  bark, 
which  is  a  beautiful  bright  red ;  and  so  distinct  is  this 
peculiarity  that  Michaux,  in  describing  the  species  in  his 
North  American  Sylva,  thought  proper  to  change  the 
name  to  P.  nibra,  but,  however  applicable  this  name  may 
be,  such  innovations  cannot  be  allowed.  This  is  one  of 
the  trees  sent  to  England  by  our  first  botanist,  the  inde- 
fatigable and  enthusiastic  Bartrani;  although  it  was 
grown  in  Britain  by  Hugh,  Duke  of  Northumberland,  in 
1756.  According  to  Loudon,  "  about  the  end  of  the  last  cen- 
tury, Messrs.  Loddiges  raised  nearly  100  plants  of  P.  res* 
inosa,  from  seeds  received  from  Bartram,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  nearly  the  whole  of  these  were  planted  by  the  then 
Marquis  of  Blandford,  (the  present  Duke  of  Marlborough) 
at  White  Knights,  where  a  number  of  them  still  exist." 

The  Red  Pine  delights  in  a  dry,  sandy  soil,  and  in  such 
forms  a  distinctive  and  not  inelegant  tree.  A  somewhat 
remarkable  feature  connected  with  its  growth  consists  in 
the  leaves  being  borne  in  dense  bunches  on  the  ends  of  the 
branches.  This  unusual  form  is  not  confined  entirely  to 
this  species,  but  is  also  observed  in  the  P.  australis,  and 
probably  a  few  others.  The  leaves  are  quite  handsome,  be- 
ing rather  long  arid  of  a  rich,  dark  green  color,  which, 
contrasting  with  the  reddish  hue  of  the  bark,  produces  a 
pleasing  effect.  Although  this  pine  is  not  of  sufficient 
utility  for  a  specimen  tree  in  small  ornamental  plantations, 
it  must  not  be  altogether  neglected,  as  the  striking  peculi- 
arities mentioned  above,  combined  with  extreme  hardiness, 
strong  healthy  growth,  and  adaptation  to  almost  all  soils 
suitable  for  Conifers,  fully  entitle  it  to  a  place  in  large 
collections. 

In  the  various  uses  to  which  the  Pine  family  are  applied, 
this  species  certainly  deserves  to  rank  high  in  our  estima- 


104  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

tion.  The  resin  that  abounds  so  plentifully  throughout 
its  structure,  as  well  as  the  value  of  the  timber,  should  be 
sufficient  inducements  for  its  cultivation.  Michaux  very 
justly  advances  the  claims  of  this  tree,  and  urges  on  Eu- 
ropean cultivators  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  such 
plantations.  London  says  :  "  As  an  ornamental  tree,  this 
species  is  well  deserving  of  cultivation." 

19,  P.  sylvestris,  Linnwus. — SCOTCH  PINE. — (Numer- 
ous unimportant  synonyms.) — Leaves,  from  \\  inches  to  2^ 
inches  long,  with  short,  lacerated  sheaths,  twisted,  rigid, 
light  bluish-green.  Cones,  ovate-conical,  from  2  to  3  inch- 
es long,  grayish-brown  color ;  with  a  quadrangular,  recurv- 
ed point.  Seeds,  small,  with  a  long,  reddish-colored  wing. 
Crest  of  the  anthers,  very  small.  Cotyledons,  5  to  7. 

The  Scotch  Pine,  often  erroneously  called  Scotch  Fir,  is 
probably  the  most  useful  and  numerous,  as  well  as  the 
most  familiar,  of  all  the  European  species.  It  is,  in  its  na- 
tive country,  what  the  White  Pine  is  to  us ;  but  in  point 
of  usefulness  in  all  respects,  it  is  far  inferior  to  the  latter. 
Some  European  writers,  however,  think  differently,  and  as- 
sert the  superior  advantages  of  the  Scotch  Pine  in  the 
strongest  terms. 

"  The  first  modern  record  of  the  tree,"  says  Loudon, 
"  is  by  Matthiolus,  who  called  it  Pinus  sylvestris  montana, 
and  sylvestris  was  afterwards  adopted  by  Linnaeus."  Al- 
though the  common  name  would  lead  us  to  believe  that 
it  is  either  confined  to  Scotland,  or  is  remarkably  abund- 
ant in  that  country,  some  writers  are  in  doubt  of  its  being 
a  native  there,  and  are  under  the  impression  that  it  is  an 
introduced  plant;  but  throughout  the  central  countries 
of  Europe,  this  species  forms  vast  forests, — in  many  sec- 
tions clothing  the  mountain  sides  with  its  dark  green  ver- 
dure. Especially  in  the  colder  regions,  on  the  Pyrenees, 
Tyrolian,  Swiss,  and  Yosgian  mountains,  it  is  seen  in  per- 
fection in  the  most  elevated  and  bleakest  situations  imagin- 
able In  those  countries  the  Scotch  Pine  attains  a  height 


THE   PIXE    SUB-FAMILY.  105 

of  eighty  feet  and  upwards,  and  is  frequently  four  or  five 
feet  in  diameter ;  whilst  as  it  approaches  the  extreme  lim- 


Btl 


Fig1.  14.—  PINUS   SYLVESTRIS. 

its  of  arborescent  vegetation,  it  dwindles  down  to  a  mere 
straggling  shrub. 
5* 


106  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

It  is  one  of  the  fastest  growing  species  of  the  genus, 
and  in  regard  to  this  particular,  Loudon  gives  the  follow- 
ing instances :  "  The  seeds  of  the  Scotch  Pine  come  up  in 
about  four  weeks  after  they  are  sown ;  the  growth  is  not 
above  3  inches  or  4  inches  the  first  year ;  the  second,  if  on 
a  good  soil,  they  will  grow  from  4  inches  to  6  inches ;  and 
the  third  year  the  plants  begin  to  branch,  and  attain  the 
height  of  from  14  inches  to  2  feet,  according  to  soil  and 
situation. 

"In  the  fourth  and  fifth  years,  if  not  transplanted,  or  if 
they  have  been  transplanted  carefully  in  the  second  year, 
they  begin  to  push  strongly,  making  a  leading  shoot  from 
1  foot  to  3  feet  in  length,  according  to  soil  and  situation ; 
and  they  continue  growing  vigorously  for  half  a  century, 
according  to  circumstances. 

"  In  ten  years,  in  the  climate  of  London,  plants  will  at- 
tain the  height  of  20  or  25  feet ;  and  in  twenty  years, 
from  40  to  50  feet.  Evelyn  mentions  a  Scotch  Pine 
which  grew  60  feet  in  height  in  little  more  than  twenty 
years."  "  The  largest  Scotch  Pine  that  was  ever  cut  down 
in  Scotland  is  supposed  to  be  one  which  stood  in  the  forest 
of  Glenmore^  winch  was  called  the  Lady  of  the  Glen,  and 
of  which  there  is  a  plank  in  the  entrance  hall  of  Gordon 
Castle,  6  feet  2  inches  long,  and  5  feet  5  inches  broad." 

The  rapidity  of  growth,  great  hardiness,  and  the  facility 
with  which  it  may  be  grown  on  almost  all  soils,  has  ren- 
dered this  tree  a  great  favorite  with  the  arboriculturist ; 
although  it  greatly  prefers  a  cool  gravelly  subsoil,  that  is 
well  drained,  and  will  then,  in  certain  appropriate  spots, 
often  form  a  handsome  tree,  but  always  inclining  more  to 
the  picturesque  than  the  beautiful.  Loudon,  in  his  Arbo- 
retum, devotes  several  pages  to  this  species,  and  dwells 
upon  its  use  for  ornamental  purposes  in  quite  a  lengthy 
article ;  but  readers  in  this  country  must  remember  that  in 
the  large  English  parks  and  lawns,  a  great  diversity  of 
situation  abounds,  and  many  of  the  most  picturesque  are 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  107 

specially  adapted  to  this  tree,  but  on  our  smaller  lawns  it 
is  frequently  out  of  place. 

Its  value  for  timber,  although  inferior  to  the  White 
Pine  and  Southern  Yellow  Pine  (P.  australis),  is  never- 
theless of  great  importance,  and  in  some  sections  of 
France  and  Belgium,  large  barren  tracts  have  been  plant- 
ed exclusively  with  this  species,  for  the  purpose  of  procur- 
ing lumber;  in  these  calcareous  soils,  after  the  trees 
have  been  removed,  the  land  has  universally  proved  more 
fertile  and  productive  than  before,  and  yielded  fair  crops 
of  grain.  It  is  the  Red  and  Yellow  Deal  of  England,  and 
is  in  use  there  for  most  purposes,  both  in  naval  and  civil 
architecture. 

Its  terebinthinate  properties  are  also  of  great  impor- 
tance, as  vast  quantities  of  tar  are  annually  exported  from 
Northern  Europe  to  England,  etc.,  where  it  forms  four- 
fifths  of  the  amount  that  is  consumed. 

Var.  horizontally  Don. —  This  variety  is  from  the 
Highlands  of  Scotland,  with  serrulated  and  broader  leaves 
than  the  species,  although  not  margined,  and  of  a  peculiar 
light  glaucous  color.  The  branches  are  remarkably  hori- 
zontal and  drooping.  This  is  known  by  some  as  the  Red- 
wooded  Scotch  Pine,  Highland  Pine,  etc. 

Var.  uncinata9  Don. — Is  described  by  the  author  as 
having  much  lighter  colored  leaves  than  the  foregoing,  and 
very  distinct,  "  insomuch  that  they  appear  of  a  truly  light, 
glaucous  hue,  approaching  to  a  silvery  tint."  They  are 
also  serrulated.  The  cones  are  different  from  those  of  the 
species,  "being  beset  with  blunt  prickles,  bent  back- 
wards." Gordon  classes  this  variety  as  a  synonym  of  the 
species. 

Var,  Hagucncnsis,  London. — Is  likewise  placed  as  a 
synonym  of  the  species  by  Gordon,  but  London  extracts 
the  following  description  from  Lawson's  Manual  in  regard 
to  it.  "  The  old  trees  are  remarkably  tall,  straight,  free 


108  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

from  branches,  except  near  the  summit,  with  remarkably 
smooth,  reddish-colored  bark.  The  leaves  on  the  young 
plants  are  longer,  waved  and  twisted,  light  green,  slightly 
glaucous,  and  minutely  serrulated;  the  young  terminal 
buds  are  of  a  peculiar  reddish  color,  and  generally  more 
or  less  covered  with  whitish  resin."  "The  forests  of 
Haguenau,"  M.  Nebel  informs  us,  "  extended  over  up- 
wards of  30,000  acres,  but  the  greater  part  of  the  pine 
trees  were  cut  down  during  the  war." 

Var.  intermedia;  London,  —  Is  from  Russia,  with 
"  slender  young  shoots  depressed  towards  the  stem,  and 
leaves  shorter  and  less  glaucous  than  those  of  the  species." 

Var.  Altaica9  Ledebour. — A  native  of  the  Altaian 
Mountains,  growing  about  fifty  feet  high,  and  introduced 
into  England  in  1836,  by  Dr.  Ledebour.  A  dense,  pyrami- 
dal tree,  with  shorter  and  more  rigid  leaves  than  the  species. 

Var,  tortuosa,  Don. — Who  describes  it  "as  having 
the  leaves  shorter  than  P.  s.  vulgaris,  and  somewhat  curled 
or  twisted.  He  saw  only  3  or  4  trees  of  it,  and  thinks  it 
nearly  approaches  the  P.  Bariksiana  of  Lambert." 

Var,  monophylla,  Hodgins.  —  This  variety  has  two 
leaves  in  a  sheath,  but  united  together  throughout  their 
length,  thus  imparting  to  the  tree  a  very  curious  appear- 
ance. "When  the  points  are  taken  between  the  finger 
and  thumb,  and  the  apparently  single  leaf  twisted,  it  gen- 
erally separates  into  two,  and  sometimes  into  three  leaves." 

Var,  nan  a,  Hort. — "  A  very  dwarf  variety,  not  grow- 
ing more  than  one  or  two  feet  high,  but  spreading  widely 
in  a  horizontal  direction,  and  having  very  stunted  branch- 
es and  leaves." — (Gordon.) 

Var,  variegata,  Hort. — "  This  only  differs  from  the  or- 
dinary form  in  the  mixture  of  its  pale  straw-colored,  with 
the  usual  glaucous  or  bluish-green  leaves,  being  produced 
on  both  old  and  young  wood." — (Gordon.) 

Var,    la  I  i  folia,    Gordon.-^ With  several   synonyms,  is 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  109 

from  the  Caucasian  Mountains,  and,  according  to  Gordon^ 
the  leaves  are  much  broader,  more  glaucous,  and  longer 
than  any  other  variety  of  P.  sylvestris.  It  is  also  very 
robust,  and  grows  to  a  great  size. 

Var,  argentea,  Stevens. — Is  the  Silvery  Scotch  Fir, 
with  the  cones  and  leaves  a  beautiful,  silvery,  glaucous 
color :  a  variety  from  the  region  of  the  Black  Sea,  where 
it  attains  a  large  size.  We  believe  this  has  not  yet  been 
introduced  into  this  country. 

There  are  other  varieties  mentioned  by  Loudon  and 
others,  that  differ  so  little  from  the  species  as  to  be  now 
unrecognized;  such  as  var.  Rigensis,  var.  Genevensis,  etc. 


SECT.  II.— TKRHTATJE.— THREE  LEAVES  IN  A  SHEATH. 

20.  P»  aiistraliS;  Michaux. — LONG-LEAVED  OR  SOUTH- 
ERN YELLOW  PINE. — Syn.  P.  palustris,  Linnaeus. — Leaves, 
10  to  15  inches  long ;  from  a  long,  lacerated,  light  colored 
sheath ;  bright  green  color,  and  crowded  in  dense  clusters 
at  the  ends  of  the  branches.  Cones,  from  6  to  10  inches 
long,  mostly  cylindrical,  of  a  beautiful  brown  color,  with 
thick  scales,  armed  with  very  small  recurved  prickles. 
Seeds,  large,  oval,  with  a  long  wing. 

With  the  single  exception  of  the  White  Pine,  (P.  Stro- 
bus,)  this  species  is  perhaps  the  most  valuable  of  the  ge- 
nus, and  along  our  southern  sea-board  States,  particularly 
in  Georgia  and  Florida,  it  is  to  be  found  in  immense  num- 
bers, covering  large  tracts  of  sandy,  barren  soil,  to 
the  almost  total  exclusion  in  many  places  of  all  other 
plants.  The  size  of  the  trees  varies  greatly  according  to 
soil  and  situation.  Along  the  roadsides  and  on  sterile 
spots,  they  are  poor,  stunted  plants  but  a  few  feet  in 
height;  but  as  the  soil  becomes  more  congenial  they 
assume  their  proper  proportions,  averaging  probably  75 


110 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 


feet  in  height,  and  single  specimens  frequently  attain  a 

much  greater  size. 

For  ornamental  pur- 
poses, this  pine  is  well 
adapted  to  those  sections 
where  it  will  survive 
the  inclemencies  of  our 
winters.  The  sudden 
changes,  owing  to  the 
warm  days  and  bright 
sun  during  winter,  fol- 
lowed suddenly  by  the 
mercury  sinking  almost 
to  zero,  acting  on  the  im- 
perfectly ripened  wood, 
in  many  cases  fatally  in- 
jure the  great  majority 
of  southern  plants.  With 
us  it  has  stood  out  for 
several  years,  without 
any  protection  excepting 
a  slight  covering  of  pine 
branches  during  the  win- 
ter, sufficient  to  afford  it 
a  partial  shade.  A  beau- 
tiful specimen  grew  for 
several  years  on  the 
grounds  of  the  late  Wm. 
Reid,  at  Elizabethtown, 
1ST.  J.,  and  as  it  was 
planted  in  the  centre  of 
a  group  of  evergreens,  it 
thrived  uninjured  for  a 
number  of  years. 

is.— PINUS  AUSTRALIS.  The  late  owner  assured 

the  author  that  in  such  sheltered  situations  it  might  be 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  Ill 

depended  on  in  the  Middle  States.  We  have  understood 
that  it  is  not  entirely  hardy  in  the  vicinity  of  London, 
and  although  known  in  Europe  since  the  year  1730,  it  is 
not  yet  common  in  collections. 

The  peculiar  growth  and  remarkably  beautiful  foliage 
of  this  species  certainly  entitle  it  to  the  regard  of  all  our 
cultivators,  and  with  a  small  amount  of  care  and  attention 
for  a  few  years,  we  feel  confident  it  will  fully  repay  the 
trouble  expended  upon  it. 

The  lumber  of  P.  australis  is  as  valuable  as  that  of  any 
other  pine,  but  in  some  situations  the  wood  is  so  charged 
with  resin  as  to  become  in  a  measure  almost  valueless.  In 
a  comparison  between  the  timber  of  the  White  Pine  and 
Long-leaved  Yellow  Pine,  that  of  the  former  is  softer, 
more  free  from  turpentine,  and  generally  of  a  larger  size ; 
whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  the  strong,  durable  planks  and 
boards  manufactured  from  the  latter  are  unexcelled. 

In  ship-building  the  lumber  of  this  pine  plays  a  very 
important  part,  and  indeed  is  considered  by  some  to  be  su- 
perior to  oak  for  this  purpose.  The  Carolina  floor-boards, 
so  universally  preferred  in  all  our  large  cities,  are  manu- 
factured from  this  species,  and  in  many  portions  of  the 
South  the  dwellings  are  constructed  exclusively  from  this 
lumber,  which  also  forms  the  fencing  material  that  en- 
closes the  fields.  As  fuel,  it  is  poor,  burning  badly,  with 
a  dense,  black  smoke,  and  creating  but  little  heat. 

The  chief  value  of  this  species  consists  in  its  products, 
which,  in  value,  are  not  equalled  by  those  of  any  other 
of  the  family.  North  Carolina,  for  a  number  of  years, 
derived  a  large  revenue  from  the  manufacture  of  the 
various  products  of  this  pine,  as  it  not  only  supplied  the 
demand  of  our  own  country  for  turpentine,  rosin,  tar, 
and  pitch,  but  immense  quantities  of  these  were  exported 
to  European  and  other  ports.  The  tar  being  extracted 
from  the  dead  wood,  no  part  of  the  tree  in  any  stage  is  al- 
lowed to  be  wasted,  and  the  accumulation  of  sap  or  resin, 


112  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

as  the  wood  advances  towards  decomposition,  is  greatly 
increased. 

The  old  Linnoean  name  of  P.  palustris,  which  was  alto- 
gether inappropriate  to  the  plant,  was  changed  by  Mich- 
aux  to  that  which  it  now  bears ;  and,  however  we  may 
deprecate  the  alteration  and  change  of  names,  we  have 
to  confess  that,  in  the  present  instance,  it  is  justifiable. 

Var.  excelsa,  London.  —  Syn.  P.  palustris  excelsa, 
Sooth. — Is  unknown  in  this  country,  but,  according  to 
English  and  German  writers,  it  is  more  hardy,  much  larg- 
er, and  has  longer  leaves  than  the  species.  It  is  also  re- 
ported to  have  been  found  on  the  north-west  coast  of 
America,  which  latter  assertion  is,  however,  very  doubtful. 

21,  P.  Fremontiana,  Endlicher. — FREMONT'S  PINE, 
NUT  PINE. — Syn.  P.  monophyllus,  Torrey. — Leaves,  from 
1£  to  3  inches  long,  with  short  sheaths,  rigid,  curved, 
sharply  mucronate,  and  of  a  pale  bluish-green  color. 
Cones,  2£  inches  long,  light  brown  color  and  glossy,  with 
thick,  recurved  scales,  entirely  destitute  of  spines.  Seeds, 
quite  large,  wingless,  and  edible. 

A  very  distinct  species  from  California,  where  it  was 
discovered  by  Col.  Fremont,  and  named  in  his  honor  by 
Prof.  Endlicher.  It  was  first  called  P.  monophyllus^  by 
Dr.  Torrey,  who  was  under  the  impression  that  its  leaves 
were  solitary.  Subsequent  investigation,  however,  decided 
its  true  character  and  the  present  name  was  established. 

It  was  first  found  on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  extending 
along  the  sides  and  summits  of  the  mountains  for  a  dis- 
tance of  300  miles,  and  was  afterwards  detected  by  Jef- 
frey on  Mt.  Jefferson,  in  the  Cascade  range,  at  an  elevation 
of  6,500  feet.  Fremont  mentions  that  the  mercury  fre- 
quently sank  two  degrees  below  zero  at  night  in  the  above 
locality,  and  the  snow  was  four  feet  in  depth.  We  can- 
not, at  the  present  time,  assert  its  hardiness,  as  our  specimen 
is  yet  quite  small,  but  from  the  character  of  the  climate 
of  which  it  is  a  native  we  may  safely  recommend  it  for  trial. 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  113 

It  forms  a  small  tree,  probably  not  exceeding  twenty 
feet  in  height,  but  well  furnished  with  side  branches  and 
with  a  peculiar,  glaucous,  bluish-green  foliage,  which  pro- 
duces a  beautiful  efiect.  The  seeds,  like  many  others  of 
our  western  species  of  pines,  are  edible  and  very  nutri- 
tious, with  shells  so  thin  that  they  may  readily  be  broken 
with  the  fingers.  They  constitute  a  large  part  of  the  sub- 
sistence of  the  Indians  that  inhabit  those  regions,  and  are 
gathered  by  them  and  stored  away  for  winter  use. 

Dr.  Engelmann  says  of  this  plant  in  a  recent  article, 
that  "  it  has  single  leaves,  and  not  connate,  as  Endlicher 
would  have  it."  This  is  one  of  those  perplexing  misun- 
derstandings that  will  occasionally  happen  among  authors. 
Our  own  specimen  was  grown  by  the  -late  John  Evans,  a 
botanist  of  no  ordinary  talent,  who  procured  the  seed,  if 
we  mistake  not,  from  its  native  locality.  However,  it  re- 
tains all  of  the  specific  distinctions  as  described  by  End- 
licher, having  three  leaves  in  a  sheath  and  being  only  very 
rarely  monophyllous  on  the  young  shoots.  This  mono- 
phyllous  state  is  not  unfrequeiitly  met  with  in  other  spe- 
cies, and  its  frequent  occurrence  in  this  particular  one  is 
doubtless  the  cause  of  the  misunderstanding. 

The  P.  Fremontiana  is  one  of  the  very  slow  growing 
species  that  require  a  number  of  years  to  arrive  at  maturi- 
ty, and  consequently  may  not,  on  this  account,  prove  so 
popular  as  some  others. 

This  edible,  or  nut-pine  section,  is  of  so  much  interest, 
that  we  make  the  following  extract  from  Dr.  Engelmann's 
article.  "  This  very  natural  little  group  is  characterized  by 
the  small,  almost  globose  cones,  the  scales  bearing  large  py- 
ramidal apophyses  and  large  edible  seeds,the  wings  of  which 
remain  attached  to  the  scale,  which,  I  suspect,  is  the  casein 
all  '  wingless '  seeds  of  pines ;  in  jR  Pinea,  however,  the 
wing  is  very  distinct,  and  detaches  itself  clearly  from  the 
scale,  and  at  the  same  time  also  from  the  seed  itself,  which  is 
likewise  the  case  in  the  closely  allied,  though  5-leaved  Cal- 


114  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

ifornian  P.  Torreyana,  Parry,  where  the  wing,  besides, 
is  very  thick  and  of  a  corky  substance.  The  great  vari- 
ability in  the  number  of  leaves  in  the  nut-pines  proves  that 
sectional  characters  taken  from  them  are  without  value." 

22.  P,  Gerardiana,  Wallich — GERARD'S  PINE. — Syn. 
P.  Neosa,  G-ovan. — Leaves,  from  3|-  to  5  inches  long ; 
from  a  short,  deciduous,  scaly  sheath;  rigid,  crowded, 
glaucous-green  color.  Cones,  8  inches  long,  and  5  inches 
broad,  ovate,  resinous ;  with  broad,  thick,  corky,  recurv- 
ed scales,  terminating  in  a  stout  spine.  Seeds,  large, 
cylindrical,  pointed,  dark  brown  color,  almost  wingless, 
and  edible. 

This  beautiful  tree  was  discovered  by  Capt.  P.  Gerard, 
in  whose  honor  it  was  named  by  Dr.  Wallich.  It  is 
a  native  of  the  Himalayas,  and  is  found  "  on  the  northern 
side  of  the  Snowy  range  of  mountains  in  Kunawur,  beyond 
the  influence  of  the  periodical  rains,  where  it  grows  in 
very  dry  rocky  ground.  It  is  also  found  to  the  north  of 
Cashmere,  and  on  the  Astor  Mountains,  in  Little  Tibet." 
Capt.  Gerard  mentions  its  highest  limits  on  the  inner  Him- 
alayas to  be  from  10,000  to  12,000  feet.  Its  height  is 
about  50  feet,  and  in  congenial  soil,  with  proper  space  to 
develop  its  peculiar  beauty,  it  becomes  a  regular,  dense, 
conical  tree.  The  seeds,  like  those  of  the  foregoing  spe- 
cies, are  large  and  nut-like,  very  abundant,  and  highly 
prized  by  the  inhabitants.  The  Arabs  and  Persians  have 
bestowed  the  name  of  "  Sonoubar  Sukkar,"  or  the  "  Sweet 
Pine-nut,"  upon  it,  owing  to  this  property. 

Although  it  is  very  distinct  from  the  P.  longifolia  in 
many  and  very  essential  particulars,  it  was  nevertheless 
frequently  confounded  with  the  latter  species  by  early 
writers.  The  cones  of  the  two  resemble  each  other  very 
closely,  and  on  this  account  the  confusion  evidently 
arose  in  the  first  instance,  as  many  of  the  first  plants 
raised  in  England  for  P.  G-erardiana  have  since  proven 
to  be  P.  longifolia. 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  115 

Its  hardiness  is  yet  uncertain,  although  we  are  favorably 
impressed  with  the  experiments  that  have  fallen  under  our 
notice.  With  us  it  proves  successful,  but  we  generally 
place  a  slight  protection  of  evergreen  boughs  around  the 
plant  to  shade  it  from  the  sun  in  winter.  The  color  of 
its  foliage  is  that  of  a  beautiful  glaucous  green,  and  con- 
trasts agreeably  with  the  darker  hues  in  a  group  of  pines. 
The  large  cones,  with  their  peculiar  thick,  recurved  scales 
and  edible  seeds,  are  also  very  interesting.  This  species 
is  quite  remarkable  for  the  copiousness  of  its  resin. 

23.  P.   Jeffreyiij  Sort. — JEFFREY'S  PINE. — Leaves,  8 
inches  long,  from  long,  lacerated,  persistent  sheaths ;  acute, 
recurved,  stout,  dark  green  color.     Cones,  8  inches  long, 
ovate-conical,   clustered,   with    broad,   projecting   scales, 
armed  with  very  large,  incurved  spines ;  seeds,  quite  large, 
and  handsomely  striped. 

This  beautiful  new  species  is  from  Northern  California, 
where,  according  to  Jeffrey,  it  inhabits  poor,  sandy  soils, 
and  forms  a  majestic  tree  150  feet  in  height. 

It  resembles  the  P.  ponderosa  somewhat  in  general  ap- 
pearance, but  has  much  more  slender  leaves.  As  regards 
the  hardiness  of  this  new  candidate  for  popular  favor,  we 
are  pleased  to  be  able  to  place  it  amongst  those  that 
promise  well.  We  have  exposed  it  to  the  severity  of  sev- 
eral winters,  all  of  which  it  came  through  safely.  But  it 
is  proper  to  state  that  a  more  thorough  trial  is  necessary 
before  it  can  be  considered  as  perfectly  reliable. 

The  branches  of  this  pine  are  slender,  very  spreading, 
and  of  a  pale,  reddish-brown  color ;  the  buds  are  small, 
and  quite  resinous.  Like  the  most  of  our  Californian  spe- 
cies, it  has  large  cones,  which  render  it  conspicuous, 
being  furnished  with  large,  pyramidal,  hooked  scales. 

24,  P,     macrocarpa,   LindUy.  —  COULTER'S    PINE, 
GREAT-HOOKED  PINE. — Syn.  P.  Coulteri,  Don  ;  P.  Sabin- 
iana  Coulteri,  London. — Leaves,  9  inches  long,  with  long 


116  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

sheaths,  very  Ibroad,  rigid,  incurved,  acute,  compressed, 
and  light  glaucous  green  color.  Cones,  "largest  of  the 
family,"  (ffuttall)  /  "  1  foot  and  more  in  length,  6  inches 
in  diameter  near  the  middle,  and  weighing  about  4  Ibs.," 
(Lambert)  /  conical-oblong,  solitary,  shining  chestnut- 
brown  color ;  with  the  large,  indurated,  wedge-shaped  scales 
terminating  in  a  long,  recurved  and  compressed  spine,  3  or 
4  inches  in  length.  Seeds,  large,  flat,  edible,  dark  brown 
color,  with  long,  stiff,  light  brown  wings. 

This  splendid  Conifer  has  been  so  recently  introduced 
into  cultivation  that  we  feel  a  slight  hesitancy  in  extolling 
its  merits  as  highly  as  they  doubtless  deserve ;  but,  be- 
ing a  native  of  our  own  country,  and  also  possessing  so 
many  excellences  to  recommend  it  to  the  notice  of  plant- 
ers, we  may  be  excused  for  our  great  partiality  to  it. 

According  to  Nuttall :  "  It  was  discovered  by  Dr.  Coul- 
ter on  the  mountains  of  Santa  Lucia,  near  the  Mission  of 
San  Antonio,  in  the  36°  of  latitude  within  sight  of  the 
sea,  and  at  an  elevation  of  between  3000  and  4000  feet  above 
its  level.  It  was  accompanied  by  the  P.  Lambertiana" 

Gordon,  in  describing  this  pine,  remarks :  "  It  is  also 
plentiful  in  other  parts  of  California,  particularly  on  the 
*  Cerusta,'  an  ascent  from  San  Luis  Obispo,  on  the  brow 
of  the  mountain."  It  forms  a  large  tree,  from  80  to  100 
feet  in  height,  with  large,  spreading  branches,  and  a  trunk 
3  or  4  feet  in  diameter. 

The  magnificent,  long,  glaucous  green  leaves  of  this 
pine  cannot  be  excelled  in  beauty ;  and  the  immense  size, 
as  well  as  the  curious  structure  of  the  cone,  fully  entitles  it 
to  consideration.  This  latter  feature  is  thus  noticed  by 
Nuttall :  "  Travellers  compare  them  for  magnitude  to  sugar 
loaves,  which  they  resemble  in  form,  suspended,  as  it  were, 
from  forest  trees."  The  large,  nut-like  seeds  contained  in 
these  cones  are  said  to  be  very  excellent  and  nutritious, 
although  not  equal  in  size  to  those  of  P.  Sabiniana. 

We  are  not  prepared  at  present  to  speak  confidently  of 
its  hardiness,  but,  judging  from  experience  and  what 


THE  PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  117 

we  could  obtain  from  other  cultivators,  think  that  on 
suitable,  light,  well-drained  soil  and  in  a  favorable  situa- 
tion, this  species  will  eventually  succeed  in  the  southern 
portion  of  the  Middle  States,  and  probably  may  thrive  in 
in  a  still  lower  temperature  than  we  anticipate.  That 
such  may  be  the  case  we  sincerely  desire,  as  the  surpassing 
beauty  of  our  California  pines  is  unexcelled  in  the  world. 
Owing  to  the  want  of  sufficient  knowledge  in  respect  to 
this  tree,  Loudon,  in  his  Arboretum,  places  it  as  a  synonym 
of  the  P.  Sabiniana  /  but  more  recent  investigation  has 
proven  it  essentially  distinct,  and  it  has  been  designated 
as  a  separate  species. 

25.  P,  ponderosa,  Douglas. —  HEAVY-WOODED  PINE. 
— Syn.  P.  Beardsleyi,  Murray  /  P.  Engelmanni,  Torrey  / 
P.  Benthamiana,  Hartweg. — Leaves,  from  9  inches  to  1 
foot  in  length,  short  sheaths,  broad,  crowded,  flexible,  tor- 
tuous, and  deep  green  color.  Cones,  3|-  inches  long,  ovate, 
reflexed,  clustered,  short-peduncled ;  with  the  long,  flat- 
tened scales  armed  with  a  small,  sharp,  recurved  prickle. 
Seeds,  rather  small,  with  long,,  yellowish-brown  wings. 
Buds,  cylindrical,  long,  tapering  gradually  to  an  obtuse 
point,  and  covered  with  a  light  glaucous  bloom. 

A  fine  hardy  species  from  our  Pacific  coast,  growing, 
according  to  Gordon,  "  100  feet  high  and  4  or  5  feet  in  di- 
ameter, with  30  or  40  feet  of  the  stem  free  from  branches ; " 
whilst  those  observed  by  Nuttall  were  "growing  in  a 
poor  soil,  and  not  more  than  12  to  20  feet  high."  Dr. 
Parry  found  it  "  common  through  all  the  lower  valleys 
and  less  elevated  districts  of  the  mountains,  associated 
with  Abies  Douglasii  and  A.  Menziesii  /  a  most  valuable 
timber  tree." 

It  is  very  common  through  some  districts  in  Northwestern 
America,  particularly  in  portions  of  Oregon,  where  Doug- 
las found  it  growing  in  large  quantities  on  t*he  banks  of 
the  Spokane  and  Flat-head  Rivers,  and  near  the  Kettle 
Falls  of  the  Columbia  River.  In  the  Rose  River  Valley, 


1L8  THE   BOOK   OP   EVERGREENS. 

in  California,  it  is  very  abundant,  and  is  there  chiefly  con- 
fined to  the  low  alluvial  soils,  where  it  develops  its  full 
proportions. 

As  an  ornament  we  are  rather  inclined  to  believe  it  will 
not  prove  so  popular  as  many  others  of  our  new  Rocky 
Mountain  Pines,  owing  to  the  coarse  and  somewhat  open 
appearance  of  the  tree.  Yet,  on  the  other  hand,  its  re- 
markable vigor,  excessive  hardiness,  and  dark  green  foli- 
age, will  certainly  weigh  in  its  favor,  and  may  eventually 
counterbalance  all  obstacles  to  its  becoming  a  favorite 
kind.  Nuttall  appears  to  be  very  sanguine  in  regard  to 
its  future  usefulness  in  cultivated  grounds.  He  says: 
"  The  tree  has  proven  quite  hardy  and  of  a  rapid  growth, 
both  in  the  climate  of  London  and  Edinburgh.  It  has  a 
very  elegant  appearance  even  as  a  young  tree,  and  seems 
to  surpass  all  others  in  strength  and  luxuriance." 

London  concludes  his  description  of  this  tree  as  follows : 
"  Pinus  ponderosa,  which  is,  perhaps,  more  hardy  than 
P.  Pinaster,  and  is  of  equally  rapid  growth,  has  a  noble 
appearance  even  when  a  young  tree ;  and  together  with 
P.  Sabiniana  and  P.  Coulteri,  equally  noble  trees,  and  ap- 
parently as  hardy  and  of  as  rapid  growth,  well  deserves 
a  place  in  every  pinetum." 

The  timber  is  excellent  and  remarkably  heavy,  and  in 
those  sections  where  it  attains  a  large  size,  it  will  prove 
very  valuable  on  this  account. 

26.  P.  radiata,  D.  Don. — RADIATED-SCALED  PINE. — 
Leaves,  from  3^-  to  4  inches  long,  from  short,  smooth 
sheaths;  crowded,  slender,  twisted,  dark  green  color. 
Cones,  6  inches  long,  ovate,  solitary,  or  in  small  clusters, 
incurved,  pendulous,  with  thick,  truncate,  obtuse  scales, 
terminating  in  a  blunt  point.  Seeds,  small,  very  dark, 
with  long  wings.  Cotyledons,  7  to  8. 

Although  our  experience  with  this  tree  has  been  so  very 
discouraging,  we  nevertheless  include  it  in  our  list  for  the 
benefit  of  those  who  desire  to  test  its  availability.  We 


THE   PIXE    SUB-FAMILY.  119 

have  tried  it  in  various  situations,  with  and  without  pro- 
tection, but  unfortunately  it  perished  in  every  case ;  and 
notwithstanding  we  have  tested  it  several  seasons,  we 
have  met  with  unvarying  failure,  and  are  therefore  com- 
pelled to  relinquish  our  attempt,  however  well  it  may  suc- 
ceed in  other  soils  and  situations. 

It  was  discovered  by  Dr.  Coulter  in  Upper  California 
in  latitude  36°,  near  the  level  of  the  sea  and  growing  close 
to  the  beach,  where  it  attained  the  height  of  100  feet, 
beautifully  furnished  with  branches  close  to  the  ground. 
The  fact  that  it  is  a  sea  side  plant  may  be  the  reason  why 
our  plants  do  not  flourish.  Sea  air  and  the  peculiar  forma- 
tion of  the  soil  to  be  found  in  such  localities  being  neces- 
sary to  its  permanent  success,  it  should  be  tried  by  those 
living  in  suitable  localities. 

Were  this  tree  entirely  hardy  here,  it  would  be,  without 
doubt,  one  of  the  most  desirable  of  the  Californian  pines. 
The  timber  is  tough  and  of  first  quality,  which  has  caused 
it  to  be  in  great  demand,  especially  for  boat-building, 
large  quantities  being  annually  used  for  that  purpose. 

The  branches  of  this  pine  are  very  numerous  and  slen- 
der and  covered  with  smooth,  light  colored  bark ;  the 
buds,  small  and  very  resinous. 

27i  P.  rigida.  Miller. — PITCH  PIXE. — Leaves,  from  3 
to  5  inches  long,  from  very  short  sheaths,  crowded,  rigid, 
flattened,  mostly  dark-green  color.  Cones,  ovoid-conical, 
or  ovate-oblong,  sessile,  from  1  to  3£  inches  long,  mostly 
solitary,  occasionally  in  clusters  of  3  or  4,  very  peristent ; 
the  scales  terminating  with  a  small,  recurved,  stout  prickle. 
Seeds,  small. 

This  native  species,  so  common  to  the  middle  portions 
of  our  country,  we  do  not  consider  one  of  our  finest 
trees  for  lawn  planting,  being  frequently  devoid  of  that 
beauty  of  outline  and  compact  habit  of  growth  so  neces- 
sary in  an  ornamental  Conifer.  It  forms  a  medium  sized 
tree,  from  30  to  70  feet  in  height,  with  dark,  rugged  looking 


120  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

bark,  and  generally  of  rather  feeble  growth.  It  inhabits 
light,  sandy  soils,  or  dry,  rocky  situations,  excepting  in 
some  sections  near  the  sea-coast,  where  it  is  often  found 
growing  in  low,  marshy  grounds,  and  in  such  the  size  of 
the  tree  is  very  greatly  increased. 

Although  this  species  is  so  frequently  found  growing  in 
low,  swampy  grounds,  particularly  in  the  "Cedar  Swamps  " 
of  Maryland  and  Delaware,  it  is  often  seen  flourishing  in 
situations  that  are  exactly  the  opposite.  Within  sight  of 
where  we  are  writing  is  a  large  group  of  these  pines  in- 
termingled with  the  P.  inops,  which  are  growing  on  a 
dry,  slaty  ridge,  with  a  very  slight  depth  of  soil 

The  wood  is  of  little  value  for  lumber,  owing  to  the  large 
number  of  knots  throughout  its  entire  length,  as  well  as 
to  the  preponderance  of  sap ;  but  much  depends  upon  the 
quality  of  the  soil  from  whence  it  is  taken; — trees 
growing  on  light,  gravelly,  or  rocky  soils  furnishing 
a  heavy,  resinous  timber^  whilst,  on  the  contrary,  those 
on  damp,  alluvial  lands  produce  a  soft  and  light  wood. 
In  any  situation,  however,  it  is  much  inferior  to  others 
of  our  native  species.  The  wood  throws  out  an  in- 
tense heat  in  burning,  and  is  sought  after  for  certain  pur- 
poses. It  also  furnishes  a  liberal  supply  of  tar,  although 
not  of  sufficient  value  for  extensive  manufacture. 

Var.  serotina,  London. — POND  PIXE. — Syn.  P.  sero- 
tina,  Michaux,  Chapman,  &c. — This  pine  has  been  re- 
duced by  Prof.  Gray  to  a  mere  form  of  the  P.  rigida. 
Loudon  also  describes  it  as  a  variety  and  Pursh  suspected 
the  same,  although  Gordon,  in  England,  and  Chapman, 
in  this  country,  recognize  it  as  a  distinct  species. 

The  only  apparent  differences  in  the  two  are,  that  the 
variety  produces  ovate  or  roundish  cones,  generally  oppo- 
site, and  mostly  solitary,  and  has  rather  longer  leaves.  We 
are  always  pleased  to  have  our  authorities  consolidate  two 
species,  when  they  appear  so  nearly  allied  as  the  above. 


THE  PINE   SUB-FAMILT  121 

28i  P.  Sabiltiana,  Douglas. — SABINE'S  PINE.  GREAT 
PRICKLY-CONED  PINE. — Leaves,  from  10  to  12  or  14  inches 
long;  from  long,  light-brown,  shining,  membranaceous 
sheaths;  serrate,  slender,  acute,  recurved,  flexuose,  and 
glaucous-green  color.  Cones,  from  8  to  10  inches  long, 
and  6  inches  in  diameter ;  ovate,  echinate,  in  large  clusters, 
recurved,  very  persistent ;  with  large  spathulate  or  awl- 
shaped,  incurved  scales,  ending  in  a  strong,  sharp  point. 
Seeds,  large,  oblong,  tapering  to  the  base,  with  a  thick, 
hard,  brown  integument,  and  a  short,  stiff,  yellow  wing. 
Cotyledons,  from  7  to  12. 

This  magnificent  native  Conifer  is  one  of  -the  very  finest 
of  the  family,  and  was  discovered  by  the  lamented  explorer, 
Douglas,  who  named  it  in  honor  of  a  former  secretary  of 
the  London  Horticultural  Society,  Joseph  Sabine,  Esq.  It 
was  first  found  in  the  parallel  of  40°,  on  the  Cordilleras  of 
California,  at  a  very  high  elevation,  and  only  1600  feet 
below  the  region  of  perpetual  snow,  and  was  afterwards 
discovered  growing  nearer  the  sea-coast  at  a  lower,  eleva- 
tion, but  more  even  temperature,  in  the  parallel  of  37°.  It 
is  also  found  at  El  Toro,  a  high  mountain  near  Monterey, 
and,  according  to  Dr.  Gairdner,  on  the  Fallatine  Hills  of 
the  Wahlamet,  as  well  as  in  many  other  places  in  Upper 
California  and  Oregon,  but  almost  invariably  upon  the 
summits  of  high  elevations  on  the  mountains. 

The  beautiful,  regular  form  presented  by  a  perfect  speci- 
men of  this  tree  is  all  that  we  could  wish  for  in  that 
respect ;  and  when  to  this  is  added  a  compact  mass  of 
deep  green  verdure,  gracefully  extending  to  the  ground, 
we  do  not  know  of  anything  more  desirable.  The  cones 
are  also  not  only  exceedingly  curious,  but  handsome  and 
useful ;  producing  seeds  that  are  in  great  esteem  among 
the  natives  as  food,  and  nearly  as  pleasant  as  almonds, 
excepting  that  they  leave  behind  a  slightly  resinous  taste. 

Nuttall,  in  his  description  of  this  species,  says,  "  The 
stems  of  these  pines  a»re  of  a  very  regular  form,  and 
grow  straight  and  tapering  to  the  height  of  from  40  to  140 
6 


122  THE   BOOK   OF  EVERGREENS. 

feet,  and  are  from  3  to  12  feet  in  circumference,  when 
standing  apart,  clothed  with  branches  down  to  the  ground." 
Other  authors  state  that  on  the  western  Cordilleras  of  New 
Albion,  at  a  great  elevation,  they  grow  from  100  to  150 
feet  in  height,  and  from  2  to  5  feet  in  diameter.  But  all 
unite  in  praising  its  exceeding  beauty  as  a  specimen  tree. 
The  xwood  is  white,  soft,  even-grained,  and,  perhaps,  not 
very  durable."  This  species  yields  a  copious  supply  of 
resin  when  punctured. 

29.  P.  Taeda,  Linnceus. — LOBLOLLY  PINE.  OLD-FIELD 
PINE.  FRANKINCENSE  PINE. — Leaves,  6  to  10  inches  long, 
from  elongated  sheaths,  rigid,  slender,  rather  obtuse,  and 
light-green  color.  Cones,  3  to  5  inches  long,  oblong, 
solitary,  or  in  pairs,  somewhat  truncate  at  the  base ;  the 
scales  terminated  with  short,  sharp,  incurved  prickles. 
Seeds  small. 

This  is  another  of  our  native  pines  that  is  confined  to 
the  Atlantic  States,  and  found  frequently  growing  in  com- 
pany with  the  P.  australis,  although  mostly  in  damp  soils, 
not  too  heavy.  According  to  London,  "  it  was  introduced 
into  England  before  1713,  by  Bishop  Compton." 

It  forms  quite  a  large  tree  under  favorable  circumstances, 
ranging-  from  50  to  100  feet  high,  with  very  thick  and 
deeply  furrowed  bark. 

In  the  light  barren  soils  of  Virginia,  it  may  be  frequently 
met  with  as  a  somewhat  stunted  large  shrub.  "All  the 
woods  in  the  Southern  States,"  says  Pursh,  "  seem  to  be 
seeded  with  it ;  for,  when  any  piece  of  clear  land  is  neg- 
lected for  a  length  of  time,  it  is  speedily  covered  with 
this  species ;  and  hence  its  name  among  the  inhabitants, 
of  Old-field  Pine.  It  is  difficult,  and  in  some  cases  almost 
impracticable,  to  recover  the  lands  which  have  been  over- 
run with  young  pines  of  this  species,  as  the  ground  appears 
to  have  lost  all  fertile  properties  for  any  othef  vegetable 
than  these  trees." 

Michaux  says, "  In  the  same  parts  of  Virginia,  this  species 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  123 

exclusively  occupies  lands  that  have  been  exhausted  by 
cultivation ;  and  amid  forests  of  oak,  tracts  of  100  or  200 
acres  are  not  unfrequently  seen  covered  with  thriving  young 
pines." 

There  is  a  plant  of  this  species  in  our  immediate  neigh- 
borhood, which  is  at  least  20  feet  high,and  stands  the  sever- 
ity of  our  winters  without  any  serious  injury.  In  our  own 
grounds,  a  plant  now  7  feet  high,  and  which  was  raised 
from  seed  here,  has  so  far  escaped  with  little  detriment  to 
its  outline.  We  cannot,  however,  recommend  it  for  orna- 
mental purposes,  excepting  in  large  collections,  as  it  is 
much  inferior  in  beauty  to  our  White  Pine  and  others  of 
the  genus. 

The  timber  is  not  valuable,  owing  to  its  propensity 
to  warp  and  decay,  but  is  nevertheless  used  in  large  quan- 
tities for  secondary  purposes.  Its  resinous  properties  are 
not  equal  to  those  of  the  P.  australis,  and  its  wood  is  less 
valuable  for  fuel. 

30.  P.  tubercnlata,  D.  Don. — TUBERCTJLATED-CONED 
PINE. — Syn.  P.  Californica,  Hartweg. — Leaves,  4  to  5 
inches  long,  from  short  smooth  sheaths,  rigid,  flattish,  and 
bright  green  color.  Cones,  4  inches  long,  oblong-conical, 
mostly  in  small  clusters,  very  persistent,  sessile,  pendulous, 
and  tawny-gray  color ; .  scales  quadrangular,  truncate,  with 
an  elevated  apex,  and  armed  with  a  stout,  short  prickle. 
Seeds  very  small. 

This  species,  whose  existence  was  much  doubted  by 
Nuttall,  is  a  native  of  California  and  was  first  discovered 
by  Dr.  Coulter  to  the  south  of  Monterey,  near  the  level 
of  the  sea,  intermixed  with  P.  radiata.  Hartweg  found 
it  on  the  Santa  Cruz  Mountains,  sixty  miles  to  the  north 
of  Monterey,  and  Jeffrey  mentions  meeting  with  it  at  an 
elevation  of  5000  feet. 

It  is  a  rather  small  tree,  seldom  attaining  a  greater 
height  than  30  or  40  feet,  with  a  trunk  8  or  10  inches  in 
diameter,  and  is  likewise  of  very  slow  growth,  requiring 


124  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

many  years  to  attain  its  full  size.  The  specimen  in  our  own 
collection  is  so  small  that  we  cannot  report  any  very  satis- 
factory experience  with,  it  in  respect  to  hardiness,  but  from 
the  situation  where  it  is  mostly  found,  and  from  its  being  so 
closely  allied  to  P.  insignis  and  P.  radiata,  both  of  which 
are  exceedingly  unsatisfactory  here,  we  are  inclined  to  be 
somewhat  skeptical  as  to  its  future  usefulness  with  us. 

Nuttall  says  it  is  nearly  allied  to  P.  patula,  the  Long- 
leaved  Mexican  Pine  of  Schiede,  which  is  also  tender;  we 
have,  therefore,  not  a  very  flattering  prospect  before  us  in 
attempting  to  acclimate  it.  Timber,  very  hard,  and  dark 
red  color. 


SEC.  III.— QUIHTJE.— FIVE  LEAVES  IN  A  SHEATH. 

31.  P«  aristata,  Engelmann. — AWNED-CONED  PINE. — 
Leaves  from  1  to  1^  inches  long,  crowded  from  the  axils 
of  ovate,  acuminate,  brittle,  at  first  light-brown  scales, 
which,  persisting  longer  than  the  leaves  themselves,  cover 
the  branches  with  their  rough  blackish  remains ;  incurved, 
entire,  abruptly  acute,  light-green  on  both  sides.  Cones, 
2|-  to  2£  inches  long,  oval,  resinous,  dark  purplish-brown 
color;  scales,  terminating  in  a  slender,  incurved  mucro. 
Seeds,  small.  Cotyledons,  7. 

We  introduce  this  new  Conifer  in  this  place,  on  account 
of  its  undoubted  hardiness  and  adaptability  to  the  climate 
of  the  Middle  States.  Although  of  very  recent  introduc- 
tion, young  plants  are  now  being  tested,  both  in  England 
and  this  country,  and  we  look  forward  with  great  interest 
to  its  permanent  and  successful  cultivation. 

It  was  discovered  by  Dr.  C.  C.  Parry,  growing  in  the 
alpine  regions  of  Colorado  Territory,  above  the  limits  of 
Plnus  flexilis,  Abies  Engelmannii,  and  other  sub-alpine 
Conifers ;  indeed,  it  first  makes  its  appearance,  in  ascending 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY. 


125 


the  slopes,  where  the  other  pines  become  mere  stunted 
shrubs. 

"We  make  the  following  extracts  from  Dr.  Engelmann's 
paper  in  the  Transactions  of  the  St.  Louis  Academy  of 
Sciences :  "  On  alpine  heights,  between  9,200  and  11,800  or 
12,000  feet  high,  on  Pike's  Peak  and  the  high  mountains  of 
the  Snowy  Range,  Dr.  Parry,  1861  and  1862,  Messrs.  Hall 
and  Harbour,  1862.  Also 
on  the  heights  of  the  Cooche- 
topa  Pass,  nearly  south-west 
of  Pike's  Peak,  (altitude 
over  10,000  feet,)  where 
Captain  Gunnison  discover- 
ed, in  1853,  what  seems  to 
be  this  species  without  fruit, 
(see  Pacific  R.  R.  Rep.,  II., 
p.  130) ;  the  leaves  which  I 
could  compare  are  those  of 
our  plant.  Flowers  end  of 
June  and  beginning  of  July. 
Flourishing  best  in  the 


Fig.  16. — PINUS  AKISTATA. 


higher  elevations,  and  never 
descendingjbelow  9,000  feet, 
in  its  lower  ranges  not  ripening  its  fruits  as  well  as  on  the 
bleak  heights ;  this  truly  alpine  species — in  this  respect 
our  representative  of  the  European  P.  pumilis — character- 
izes the  highest  belt  of  timber  on  the  peaks  of  Colorado. 
On  sheltered  slopes  a  tree  40  or  50  feet  high  and  from  1 
to  2  feet  in  diameter,  it  becomes  a  straggling  bush, 
prostrate,  and  almost  creeping,  on  the  bleak  summits  of 
the  high  ridges." 

In  allusion  to  its  apparently  very  slow  growth,  Doctor 
Engelmann  says :  "  Its  growth,  at  least  in  the  latter  local- 
ities, is  exceedingly  slow,  as  a  stick  of  scarcely  more  than 
one  inch  in  diameter,  brought  back  by  Dr.  Parry,  shows 
nearly  fifty  annual  rings,  some  of  them  ^  of  a  line,  and 


126  THE  BOOK   OF  EVERGBEENS. 

none  more  than  J  of  a  line  wide."  The  same  author  also 
states  that  the  wood  is  white,  tough,  not  very  resinous ; 
and  that  a  tree  of  two  feet  thickness,  at  "  the  above  rate, 
indicates  an  age  of  over  1,000  years;  but  the  annual  rings 
of  larger  trees  growing  in  favored  situations  are  wider, 
and,  if  a  specimen  sent  by  Dr.  Parry  is  not  mislabelled, 
sometimes  as  wide  as  %  line,  giving  the  largest  trees  a 
probable  age  of  from  500  to  800  years. 

"  The  branches  are  spreading,  very  often  many  of  them 
twisted,  stunted,  or  dead;  the  larger  branches  and  the 
stem  itself  frequently  covered  with  young  branches  or 
shoots,  which  seem  to  keep  life  in  the  old  trunk.  The 
bark  is  thin  and  scaly,  even  in  older  trees  not  more  than 
3  or  4  lines  thick,  of  a  light  grayish-brown  color ;  that  of 
younger  branches,  smooth,  with  many  large  vesicles  con- 
taining a  clear  fluid  balsam,  which  remains  between  the 
layers  of  the  old  bark." 

The  leaves  of  this  pine  are,  without  doubt,  more  per- 
sistent than  those  of  any  known  species,  as  accurate  ob- 
servations have  proven  that  they  have  remained  on  the 
tree  for  a  period  of  16  years. 

32.  P,  Cembra,  Llnnmus. — Swiss  STONE  PINE. — 
Leaves,  2  to  3  inches  long,  from  a  medium  sized  decidu- 
ous sheath,  triangular,  slender,  straight,  crowded,  glaucous, 
dark  green  color.  Cones,  3  inches  long,  ovate,  erect,  with 
obtuse,  slightly  hooked  scales.  Seeds,  very  large,  edible, 
wedge-shaped,  wingless,  with  hard  shells.  Cotyledons, 
11  to  13. 

A  handsome,  hardy  species,  that  was  introduced  into 
cultivation  about  the  year  1746,  from  the  highest  regions 
of  the  Alps,  between  4000  and  6000  feet  elevation,  and 
forming  quite  large  trees  about  50  feet  in  height.  From 
the  Tyrol  to  Mt.  Cenis,  in  Austria,  it  is  also  frequently 
met  with  forming  vast  forests  of  the  darkest  and  most 
sombre  verdure.  Pallas  mentions  this  species  as  a  lofty 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  127 

tree  growing  120  feet  in  height ;  but  perhaps  he  may  have 
been  mistaken,  as  his  account  differs  from  that  of  others. 

The  tree  forms  a  handsome,  regular  cone,  clothed  with 
branches  to  the  ground,  very  dense  in  its  growth,  as  hardy 
as  any  of  our  native  species,  and  in  a  group  of  pines,  the 
darkness  of  its  foliage  contrasts  finely  with  the  lighter 
green  of  other  members  of  this  family.  "  According  to 
Lambert,"  says  Loudon,  "  the  flowers  have  a  more  beauti- 
ful appearance  than  in  any  other  species  of  pine,  being  of 
a  bright  purple ;  and  the  unripe  full-grown  cones,  he  says, 
have  a  bloom  upon  them  like  that  of  a  ripe  Orleans  Plum." 

The  slowness  of  its  growth,  however,  is  to  be  regretted, 
for  were  it  otherwise,  we  could  without  reservation  recom- 
mend it  for  extensive  cultivation ;  but,  notwithstanding 
this  unpopular  obstacle,  the  Stone  Pine  is  deservedly  in 
favor  for  creating  certain  effects  in  landscape  gardening, 
which  are  unobtainable  with  any  other  species. 

Loudon  says:  "In  England,  it  is  a  formal,  and  we 
do  not  think  it  can  be  considered  a  handsome  tree ;  it 
presents  to  the  eye  a  multiplicity  of  tufts  of  leaves, 
piled  up  one  above  another,  of  the  same  size,  and 
equidistant,  and  everywhere  of  a  rather  dull  green  color. 
The  uniformity  of  shape  is  nowhere  broken,  except  at  the 
summit,  where  alone  the  cones  are  produced ;  and  hence, 
as  a  mass,  it  may  be  characterized  as  formal  and  monoto- 
nous, without  being  grand." 

The  same  author  subsequently  remarks :  "  The  summit  of 
the  tree,  however,  and  its  purple  cones,  we  acknowledge 
to  be  truly  beautiful.  That  we  may  not  run  the  slightest 
risk  of  injuring  this  tree,  we  may  mention  that  Mr.  Lam- 
bert, so  far  from  entertaining  the  same  opinion  as  we  do  re- 
specting it,  looks  upon  it  as  one  of  the  handsomest  trees 
of  the  whole  genus" 

An  excellent  quality  in  the  Stone  Pine  is  its  adaptability 
to  almost  all  kinds  of  soils  and  situations,  and  even  Lou- 
don is  forced  to  admit  this  when  he  remarks :  "  Though 


128  THE   BOOK    OP   EVERGREENS. 

the  Cembrau  Pine,  as  we  have  seen,  will  grow  in  the 
poorest  soils  and  in  the  most  elevated  and  exposed  situa- 
tions where  no  other  pine  or  fir  will  exist,  yet  it  will 
not  grow  rapidly  except  in  a  free  soil,  somewhat  deep,  and 
in  a  dry  subsoil." 

The  timber  is  fine-grained  and  very  soft,  thus  allowing 
of  its  extensive  use  for  carving,  and,  in  some  sections  of 
Switzerland,  it  is  in  demand  for  the  manufacture  of  toys  of 
various  kinds,  especially  among  the  Helvetian  shepherds. 
It  also  furnishes  a  liberal  supply  of  fragrant  resin. 

Var,  Sibirica,  London.—  Pallas  says  this  form  is  not 
found  beyond  the  Lena,  and  is  a  lofty  tree.  It  differs  from 
the  species  in  having  shorter  and  lighter  green  leaves ;  al- 
so, producing  longer  cones,  with  larger  scales.  It  resem- 
bles somewhat  the  Scotch  Pine,  but  has  a  smoother  and 
grayer  bark.  It  is  a  native  of  Eastern  Siberia,  and  has, 
like  the  species,  large,  edible  seeds. 

Var,  pygmaea,  Fischer. — Syn.  var.  pumila,  Endlicher, 
etc.,  etc. — This  is  a  handsome  and  desirable  little  dwarf, 
seldom  exceeding  2  or  3  feet  in  height,  although  old  speci- 
mens are  known  that  are  5  or  6  feet  high.  It  has  very 
short  leaves,  small,  roundish  cones,  and  small  seeds.  The 
native  habitat  of  this  variety  is  on  rocky  eminences  and 
dry,  sterile  spots,  which  $  in  many  instances,  are  almost  de- 
void of  other  vegetation.  Loudon  says :  "  There  is  a  plant 
at  Dropmore  which  has  been  twenty  years  planted,  and,  in 
1837,  was  not  more  than  six  inches  high,  which  we  pre- 
sume to  be  this  variety.  The  same  may  be  said  of  a  tree 
in  Hopetoun  Gardens,  near  Edinburgh,  said  to  be  upwards 
of  100  years  old,  and  which,  in  1836,  measured  only  5 
feet  6  inches  high." 

33,  P.  excelsa,  Wattich. — BHOTAN  PINE.— Syn.  P. 
Strobus  excelsa,  Loudon,  etc. — Leaves,  from  5  to  7  inches 
long ;  with  short,  caducous,  imbricated,  membranaceous 
sheaths ;  slender,  mucronate,  crowded,  glaucous  green 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY. 


129 


Fig.  17. — PINUS  EXCELSA,   HALF  THE  NATURAL   SIZE,   FROM  A  SPECIMEN 
FRUITED  BY    A.   FIOT,  BETLEHEM,   PA. 


6* 


130  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEBGREEXS. 

color.  Cones,  from  6  to  9  inches  long,  2  inches  in  diame- 
ter, cylindrical,  smooth,  pendulous,  pedunculate,  clustered ; 
with  broad,  thick,  wedge-shaped,  coriaceous,  closely  imbri- 
cated scales.  Seeds,  mostly  small,  ovate,  compressed, 
with  a  hard,  dark  colored  testa,  and  a  membranaceous,  re- 
ticulated, oblong-obtuse  wing. 

This  beautiful  pine,  owing  to  an  unfortunate  habit  of 
blasting,  is  not  so  popular  at  the  present  time  as  it  de- 
serves to  be.  The  high  cultivation  given  it  by  most  plant- 
ers has,  in  the  majority  of  instances,  resulted  in  failure, 
and  consequently  the  tree  is  condemned,  when  the  fault 
lies  in  the  soil,  which  caused  a  superabundance  of  weak, 
unripened  wood.  Such  is  the  idea  we  have  formed  upon 
the  subject,  and  in  every  case  that  has  fallen  under  our 
notice  an  examination  into  the  cause  of  failure  has  re- 
sulted in  establishing  this  view. 

The  Bhotan  Pine  is  a  native  of  Nepal  and  Bhotan ;  and 
on  the  Himalayas,  at  elevations  of  from  6000  to  8000  feet, 
(and  occasionally  even  to  11,500  feet,)  it  flourishes  with 
remarkable  vigor,  forming  entire  forests  along  the  warmer 
slopes.  Perhaps  the  finest  specimens  are  to  be  found  near 
the  Shatool  Pass,  and  below  Shansoo,  in  Kunawur,  where 
these  trees  are  occasionally  found  150  feet  in  height, 
generally  branched  to  the  ground  and  forming  large, 
spreading  cones. 

We  consider  this  species  one  of  the  most  desirable  of 
the  family  for  parks  and  pleasure  grounds,  as  its  remark- 
ably graceful,  drooping  habit,  (which  has  given  it  the 
name  of  "  Drooping  Fir  "  by  some  Himalayan  travellers,) 
is  peculiarly  appropriate  for  single  specimens ;  and  as  it  is 
perfectly  hardy,  withstanding  the  utmost  severity  of  our 
winters,  it  should  be  included  in  every  collection,  how- 
ever small. 

The  general  appearance  of  this  tree  reminds  one  of  a 
handsome  White  Pine,  and  indeed  the  resemblance  be- 
comes more  perfect  upon  a  nearer  inspection,  as  they  are 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  131 

very  closely  allied.  But  the  latter  is  decidedly  inferior  in 
point  of  beauty,  the  Bhotan  Pine  having  much  longer 
and  more  glaucous  leaves,  as  well  as  a  more  dense  and 
compact  habit  of  growth.  In  fact,  these  two  species  ap- 
proach very  nearly  to  each  other  in  a  botanical  classifica- 
tion, the  main  point  of  distinction  being,  according  to 
Lambert,  in  the  crest  of  the  anthers. 

We  have  occasionally  also  seen  the  White  Pine  blast  in 
the  same  manner  as  this  species,  especially  when  growing 
very  luxuriantly  in  a  rich,  deep  soil ;  but  the  propensity 
for  vigorous,  unripened  growth  is  more  marked  in  P. 
excelsa,  and  therefore  the  remarks  in  Sargent's  late  edition 
of  Downing's  Landscape  Gardening,  in  regard  to  this 
characteristic,  are  worthy  of  much  respect.  The  idea  of 
that  author  is  precisely  similar  to  that  which  has  been 
forced  upon  us  by  experience.  Some  attribute  the  early 
decay  of  this  tree  to  the  presence  of  some  of  the  wood- 
boring  insects,  but  although  we  have  known  instances 
where  such  was  the  case,  we  believe  them  to  be  rare. 

The  great  difference  in  soil  and  situation  has  caused  a 
dissimilarity  in  the  growth  of  this  species,  so  that  varie- 
ties with  shorter  or  more  rigid  leaves  have  been  fre- 
quently introduced  as  distinct;  but  these  have  all  very 
properly  been  placed  under  the  species. 

The  P.  excelsa  furnishes  a  soft,  compact,  and  white  lum- 
ber, very  similar  to  the  P.  /Strobus,  but  perhaps  not  so 
valuable,  owing  to  the  abundance  of  resin.  The  turpen- 
tine extracted  from  the  wood  is  very  copious,  exceedingly 
fragrant,  and  useful.  It  is  said  to  be  so  pure  and  limpid 
that  the  slightest  incision  in  the  tree  causes  it  to  flow  freely. 

34.  P.  flexilis,  James. — AMERICAN  CEMBRAN  PINE. — 
Leaves,  from  1-J-  to  2£  inches  long,  rarely  3  inches  long, 
from  lanceolate,  deciduous  sheaths,  rigid,  entire,  acute, 
densely  crowded.  Cones,  sub-cylindric,  tapering  to  the 
end,  from  4  to  5  inches  long,  2  inches  in  diameter,  short 
peduncled,  semi-pendulous  (Dr.  Parry,)  clustered.  Scales, 


132 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVEKGEEENS. 


thick,  ligneous,  obtuse,  loose,  squarrose,  lowest  sterile  ones 
recurved,  yellowish-brown  color.  Seeds,  rather  large,  ir- 
regularly ovate  or  obovate,  with  persistent,  sharp,  keeled 
margins,  representing  minute  wings.  Cotyledons,  8  or  9. 
This  species,  the  identity  of  which  has  been  questioned 

for  the  last  forty 
years,  is  now  happily 
assigned  the  position 
that  its  discoverer 
claimed  for  it.  This 
question  has  been 
satisfactorily  solved 
by  the  researches  of 
Dr.  Parry,  who  had 
excellent  opportuni- 
ties of  examining 
specimens,  and  was 
enabled  to  correct 
a  few  inaccuracies 
that  occurred  in  pre- 
vious descriptions. 
It  was  discovered 
by  Dr.  James  on  the 
Rocky  *  Mountains, 
growing  mostly  on 
the  sub-alpine  tracts, 
and  extending  al- 
most to  the  utmost 
limits  of  vegetation. 
Mr.  H.  Engelmann 
collected  it  on  the 
head  waters  of  the  Platte,  and  it  has  been  noticed  by 
several  other  explorers.  Dr.  Parry,  in  his  Ascent  of  Pike's 
Peak,  remarks  that  "  the  vertical  range  of  this  species,  as 
observed  between  latitude  38°  and  40°  W.,  is  from  7,000 
to  11,000  feet  above  the  sea.  It  rarely  occurs  in  large 


r.  18. — PINUS    PLEXILIS,     FROM    A    ROCKY 
MOUNTAIN   SPECIMEN,    COLLECTED   BY 
DOCT.    PARRY. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  133 

"bodies  of  timber,  but  is  mostly  of  scattered  growth,  being 
associated  at  its  lowest  range  with  Pinus  ponderosa,  and 
Pinus  contorta,  and  at  its  upper  limits  with  Pinus  aristata 
and  Abies  Engelmanni.^ 

In  Dr.  Engelmann's  account  of  this  tree  he  gives  the 
following  statistics  in  regard  to  its  size :  "  P.  flexilis,  the 
American  representative  of  P.  Oembra  of  the  old  world, 
is  a  middle  sized  tree,  usually  30  to  50  feet  high,  though 
Fendler,  a  good  authority,  saw  it  near  Santa  Fe,  60  to  80 
feet  high ;  Dr.  Bigelow's  trees,  of  the  height  of  100  to  130 
feet,  on  the  San  Francisco  Mountain,  must  belong  to  some 
other  five-leaved  species." 

The  same  author  remarks :  "  In  Colorado  it  is  a  fine 
tree  with  tapering  trunk  and  oval  outline,  branching  al- 
most from  the  base,  lower  branches  horizontal,  upper  ones 
ascending ;  wood,  white,  hard,  annual  rings  from  -J  to  -J- 
line,  on  an  average  J  line  wide ;  trees  become  in  250  or 
300  years  about  one  foot  thick." 

Dr.  Parry  states :  "  In  general  appearance  it  very  closely 
resembles  our  P.  Strobus,  from  which  it  differs  mainly  in 
its  shorter  and  stouter  entire  leaves,  more  branching  mode 
of  growth,  as  well  as  in  the  yellowish-brown  cones,  with 
peculiar  thickened  ligneous  scales."  In  Dr.  James'  account 
of  this  species,  he  stated  the  cones  were  "  erect ; "  but 
Dr.  Parry  states  they  "  are  inclined  to  be  pendulous." 

We  make  the  following  extracts  from  Dr.  Parry's  de- 
scription :  "  The  seeds  are  nearly  equal  in  .size  to  those  of 
the  New  Mexican  Nut  Pine  (P.  edulis^)  of  an  irregular, 
oval  form,  4  to  5  lines  long,  and  possess  similar  edible 
qualities.  In  addition  to  other  peculiarities  of  this  pine 
may  be  noticed  its  slowness  of  growth ;  thus,  on  a  small 
trunk  of  7}  inches  in  diameter  there  were  232  annual 
rings.  Its  wood  is  soft,  of  fine  texture,  the  heart-wood 
inclining  to  a  yellowish  cast.  The  flexibility  of  its 
branches,  on  which  Dr.  James  founded  its  specific  name, 


134  TE(E   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

is  partly  due  to  the  thickness  of  the  elastic  bark  of  the 
smaller  twigs." 

We  place  great  reliance  upon  many  of  our  new  native 
pines,  but  on  none  more  than  this.  Coming  from  an 
elevated  and  exposed  region  we  may  look  for  its  future 
usefulness  here. 

35.  P.  Lambertiana9  Douglas. — LAMBERT'S  PINE, 
GIGANTIC  PINE. — Syn.  P.  Strobus  Lambertiana,  Loudon. 
— Leaves  from  3  to  4  or  5  inches  long,  from  short  decidu- 
ous sheaths,  rigid,  slightly  denticulate  on  the  margin, 
bright  green  color.  Cones,  from  12  to  14,  and  even  16 
inches  long,  4  inches  in  diameter,  cylindrical,  gradually  ta- 
pering to  a  point,  erect  when  young,  pendulous  at  maturi- 
ty, destitute  of  resin,  dark  brown  color ;  scales,  loosely 
imbricated,  dilated,  rounded  above,  devoid  of  prickles. 
Seeds,  oval,  large,  sweet  and  nutritious ;  with  a  large, 
dark  colored  wing.  Cotyledons,  12  or  13. 

This  magnificent  Conifer  was  discovered  by  Douglas, 
in  the  year  1825,  near  the  source  of  the  Multnomah  Riv- 
er, on  our  northwestern  coast. 

The  discoverer  states:  "The  trunk  of  P.  Lambertiana 
grows  from  150  feet  to  above  200  feet  in  height,  varying 
from  20  feet  to  near  60  feet  in  circumference.  One  speci- 
men which  had  been  blown  down  by  the  wind  and  which 
was  certainly  not  the  largest,  was  of  the  following  dimen- 
sions: Its  entire  length  was  215  feet ;  its  circumference,  at 
3  feet  from  the  ground,  was  57  feet  9  inches ;  and  at  134 
feet  from  the  ground,  17  feet  5  inches.  The  trunk  is  unu- 
sually straight,  and  destitute  of  branches  about  two-thirds 
of  its  height.  The  bark  is  uncommonly  smooth  for  such 
large  timber,  of  a  light  brown  color  on  the  south,  and 
bleached  on  the  north  side." 

We  take  great  pleasure  in  recommending  this  superb 
pine  to  the  notice  of  our  arboriculturists,  believing  it  to 
be  one  of  the  finest  of  the  genus  that  has  been  fully  tested. 
It  stands  the  utmost  rigors  of  our  winters  without  any 


THE  PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  135 

protection,  and  like  the  closely  allied  P.  Strobus,  is  a  rapid- 
growing  and  graceful  tree.  When  young,  these  two 
species  show  a  marked  resemblance  to  each  other,  but  as 
the  plants  increase  in  size  the  distinction  soon  becomes 
apparent. 

The  timber  of  the  P.  Lambertiana  also  closely  resem- 
bles that  of  the  White  Pine  in  being  white,  soft,  and  light ; 
consequently  it  is  easily  worked.-  It  produces  an  abun- 
dant supply  of  resin,  which  is  remarkably  clear  and  pure, 
and  when  taken  from  a  partially  burned  tree,  it  acquires  a 
very  sweet  and  pleasant  taste,  and  is  used  by  the  natives 
as  sugar  to  sweeten  their  food.  The  seeds,  being  very 
large  and  nutritious,  are  consequently  of  much  value,  the 
natives  using  them  either  fresh  as  gathered  from  the  tree, 
or  roasted  and  prepared  into  rough  cakes  during  the 
winter. 

37.  P.  monticola,  Douglas.  —  MOUNTAIN  PINE. — 
Syn.  P.  Strobus  monticola,  Loudon. — Leaves,  from  3  to  4 
inches  long,  from  short,  imbricated,  very  deciduous 
sheaths;  obtuse,  smooth,  obsoletely  crenulated  on  the 
margin,  glaucous-green  color.  Cones,  7  inches  long,  If 
inches  broad,  cylindrical,  smooth,  obtuse  at  the  apex, 
short  peduncled,  resinous,  with  loosely  imbricated,  pointed, 
spineless  scales.  Seeds,  small,  with  an  ample  wing. 

The  resemblance  between  this  species  and  the  P.  Strobus 
has  given  the  former  the  common  name  of  "  Short-leaved 
Weymout/i  Pine"  which  was  considered  by  Nuttall  as 
correct,  and  mentioned  by  him  in  his  sequel  to  the  North 
American  Sylva,  as  a  variety  of  that  species.  This  opinion 
was  also  concurred  in  by  Loudon,  who  described  it  as  a 
variety  of  P.  Strobus.  We  think,  however,  its  specific 
character  is  sufficiently  distinct,  and  that  Douglas  was 
correct  in  his  name.  This  opinion  is  also  entertained  by 
Gordon  and  other  later  writers. 

It  forms  a  large-sized  tree  of  100  feet  or  upwards  in 
height,  with  a  more  compact  head  than  the  White  Pine, 


136  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

and  much  shorter  and  more  glaucous  leaves.  It  is  a  "  na- 
tive of  the  high  mountains,  at  the  Grand  Rapids  of  the 
Columbia ;  and  in  California,  on  the  rocky  banks  of  the 
Spokan  River."  (Loudon.)  On  Trinity  Mountain,  in 
Northern  California,  at  an  elevation  of  7000  feet,  it  is  found 
quite  plentifully,  growing  on  poor,  sandy  soil,  which  it 
greatly  prefers,  partaking  of  the  same  nature  as  the  other 
allied  species,  such  as  P.  Lambertiana,  P.  excelsa,  P.  Stro- 
bus,  etc. ;  and,  in  fact,  a  rich,  damp  soil  is  very  unsuitable 
for  this  group,  as  is  frequently  instanced  in  their  sudden 
death  when  in  such  positions.  Situations  of  this  nature 
should  therefore  be  strictly  avoided. 

We  have  been  greatly  pleased  with  this  species,  not- 
withstanding its  resemblance  to  our  old  Weymouth  Pine, 
— the  leaves  being  shorter  and  more  glaucous,  and  the  form 
more  compact  and  dense.  Its  hardiness  is  without  doubt, 
and  we  think  it  altogether  very  desirable  in  a  collection. 

The  timber  furnished  by  this  species  is  similar  in  many 
respects  to  that  of  the  White  Pine,  but  more  tough. 

38,  P,  StrobllS,  Linnceus. — WHITE  PINE.  WEY- 
MOTTTH  PINE,  (of  the  Europeans.) — Leaves,  3  to  4  inches 
long,  from  very  deciduous  sheaths ;  slender,  straight,  soft, 
slightly  glaucous.  Cones  from  4  to  5  or  6  inches  long, 
cylindrical,  somewhat  curved,  slightly  drooping,  short  pe- 
duncled,  with  smooth,  thin  scales,  devoid  of  prickles. 
Seeds,  rather  small,  obovate,  with  a  long  wing.  Cotyledons, 
6  to  10. 

An  old,  well-known,  and  useful  tree,  that  is  found 
throughout  the  northern  sections  of  our  country,  extend- 
ing from  Virginia  into  Canada,  but  more  plentifully  in 
Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  and  Northern  New 
York  and  Pennsylvania.  The  White  Pine  forms  a  large 
tree,  from  100  to  160  feet  in  height,  according  to  the 
situation  in  which  it  is  found.  In  the  extensive  pine  forests 
from  whence  such  immense  quantities  of  lumber  are  annu- 
ally taken,  this  species  is,  in  many  places,  the  only  one 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY. 


137 


seen  for  several  miles ;  and  in  such  situations  it  generally 
presents  a  tall,  naked  stem,  devoid  of  branches  for  at 
least  two-thirds  of  its  length, 
thus  affording  valuable  logs. 

When  cultivated  for  or- 
nament the  real  beauty  of 
this  tree  becomes  apparent, 
and  although  we  cannot 
exactly  coincide  with  the 
late  A.  J.  Downing  in  all 
his  views  of  this  species,  we, 
however,  think  it  very  hand- 
some and  desirable.  In  com- 
parison with  many  other 
species,  it  is  too  open  or 
devoid  of  branches  to  form  a 
perfectly  beautiful  specimen. 

Its  hardiness  is  proverbial, 
high  winds  being  a  greater 
enemy  to  it  than  extreme 
cold,  and  a  damp,  retentive 
soil  far  more  injurious  than 
a  sandy,  dry  bottom.  In 
fact,  the  White  Pine  will 
never  arrive  at  that  per- 
fection in  a  wet,  undrained 
subsoil,  that  it  would  on 
a  gravelly,  porous  one. 

There  is  a  peculiar  charm 
about  this  tree  which  makes 
it  an  indispensable  com- 
panion around  our  homes, 
and  we  would  as  soon  think 

of  omitting  evergreens  alto-  FiS-  I^.-PINUS  STROBUS. 

gether  as  to  be  without  one  specimen  at  least  of  the  Wey- 
mouth  Pine.     The  light,  glaucous-green  color  of  the  foliage 


138  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

contrasts  beautifully  with  the  other  species,  and  when  in 
motion  is  remarkably  handsome,  presenting  as  it  does  a 
happy  commingling  of  green  and  silver,  that  is  equalled 
by  that  of  few  trees.  The  long,  slender  leaves  are  so 
easily  moved  by  the  slightest  breeze,  that  a  constant  sigh- 
ing and  moaning  is  kept  up,  which  has  long  been  a  theme 
with  poets ;  and  although  this  peculiarity  is  not  restricted 
alone  to  this  species,  we  have  always  preferred  standing 
by  the  side  of  our  old  favorite,  and  listening  to  this  nat- 
ural JEolian  harp  in  preference  to  any  other. 

According  to  London,  "  Pinus  Strobus  was  first  cultivat- 
ed in  England  by  the  Duchess  of  Beaufort,  at  Badming- 
ton,  in  1705.  Great  quantities  were  soon  afterwards 
planted  at  Longleat,  in  Wiltshire,  the  seat  of  Lord  Wey- 
mouth,  where  the  trees  prospered  amazingly,  and  whence 
the  species  received  the  name  of  the  Weyrnouth  Pine." 

The  lumber  of  the  White  Pine  is  quite  as  useful  as  that 
of  any  other  species,  notwithstanding  the  assertions  of 
some  of  our  transatlantic  brethren  to  the  contrary.  It  is 
soft,  fine-grained,  light,  and  very  white,  and  is  in  use 
throughout  our  country.  Although  very  liable  to  decay 
when  improperly  exposed,  its  other  good  properties  fully 
compensate  for  this  defect.  The  turpentine  afforded  by 
this  tree  is  moderately  abundant  in  particular  situations, 
but  not  of  sufficient  value  to  make  it  an  object  of  manu- 
facture. 

Var.  alba,  London.  —  Syn.  P.  nivea,  JBootk,  with 
other  incorrect  names,  is  very  beautiful,  and  quite  desirable 
in  our  collections.  The  foliage  is  silvery-white  in  color, 
and  much  shorter,  as  well  as  more  dense,  than  that  of  the 
species.  The  bark  is  very  light  colored  and  conspicuous. 

Var.  liana.  Knight. — Syn.  var.  tabuliformis,  and  var. 
umbraculifera,  (of  several  foreign  nurserymen.)  A  curious 
dwarf  variety  not  particularly  handsome,  but  frequently 
planted  on  account  of  its  oddity.  The  whole  plant,  in- 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  139 

eluding  leaves,  branches,  etc.,  forms  a  miniature  specimen 
of  the  species,  with  the  shape  flattened  to  a  tabular  form. 


ADDITIONAL    LIST    OF    PINES. 

In  this  chapter  we  desire  to  enumerate  and  describe 
briefly  a  few  of  the  new  and  untested  species,  as  well  as 
those  which  have  been  thoroughly  tested  and  proven  to 
be  entirely  too  tender  for  our  climate  in  the  Middle  States; 
and  in  so  doing  we  wish  once  more  to  explain  our  con- 
struction of  the  terms  hardy  and  tender  plants. 

On  soils  that  are  thoroughly  drained,  either  naturally 
or  artificially,  many  Conifers,  such  as  the  Deodar  and 
Cryptomeria,  will  succeed  very  well  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Philadelphia,  especially  when  planted  in  a  warm  and 
protected  situation ;  and  yet  the  same  plants,  with  equally 
generous  treatment  in  soils  that  are  retentive  of  moist- 
ure, such  as  a  very  heavy  clay,  are  frequently  denounced 
as  tender  and  unfit  for  cultivation  by  others  residing  in 
the  immediate  vicinity. 

As  very  many  Conifers  are  barely  hardy  enough  to  with- 
stand the  severity  of  our  winters  at  this  point,  a  very  few 
degrees  further  north  entirely  places  them  as  undesirable, 
and  thus  many  a  well-meaning  and  strictly  honest  writer 
is  frequently  censured  for  recommending  plants  that  his 
readers  find,  to  their  cost,  tender  and  undesirable. 

Plants,  therefore,  may  very  justly  be  classed  as  hardy, 
variable,  and  tender.  The  first  of  these  embraces  such  as 
are  unexceptionably  reliable ;  in  the  second  is  comprised 
those  species  which  it  is  neither  good  policy  to  discard, 
nor  to  recommend  too  highly ;  and  in  the  third,  the  undeni- 
ably uncertain  kinds.  It  is  indeed  difficult  to  assign  the 
true  positions  of  many  of  our  very  finest  Conifers  as  to 
hardiness,  and  therefore  it  should  be  the  pleasure  of  every 


140  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

arboriculturist  to  experiment  and  endeavor  to  ascertain 
the  requirements  of  these  trees. 

This  subject  is  of  such  importance  that,  having  been  fre- 
quently misled  ourselves,  we  desire  to  impress  upon  the 
minds  of  others  the  necessity  of  understanding  the  meaning 
of  these  terms ;  and  because  a  certain  plant  may  not  succeed 
with  us,  it  is  no  reason  that  it  may  not  with  a  more  for- 
tunate neighbor,  who  has  probably  secured  the  condi- 
tions necessary  for  its  success. 

Among  these  so-called  tender  species,  there  may  possibly 
be  some,  especially  those  from  the  higher  altitudes  on  the 
mountains  of  Mexico,  that  may  eventually  succeed  in  the 
warmer  portions  of  the  Middle  States ;  but  in  their  gen- 
eral usefulness  we  place  but  little  confidence,  as  our  ex- 
tremely variable  climate  is  so  totally  different  from  their 
even,  although  cold,  situations. 

As  our  knowledge  of  most  of  the  newly  discovered 
Conifers  is  restricted  entirely  to  the  descriptions  given  by 
various  authors,  and  principally  to  those  of  English 
writers,  we  do  not  feel  willing  to  be  held  responsible  for 
mistakes  in  nomenclature,  when  noticing  such  plants. 
Enthusiastic  explorers  are  prone  to  the  fault  of  renaming 
old  species,  not  through  any  desire  to  impose  upon  the 
public,  but  in  most  instances  by  allowing  their  better  judg- 
ment to  be  set  aside,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  that 
honor  which  is  very  justly  bestowed  upon  the  discoverer 
of  a  new  species ;  and  such  we  are  compelled  to  believe  is 
the  case  in  the  new  Mexican  Pines  of  Roezl.  This  dis- 
coverer has  introduced  the  names  of  about  120  new  species, 
but  which,  according  to  the  recent  examinations  of  Gordon, 
and  others,  has  resulted  in  obtaining  but  five  that  are  en- 
tirely new  and  previously  unclescribed. 

Those  considered  as  good  species  are  as  follows : 

38.  P,  Lawsoni,  Hoed. — A  medium-sized  tree  from 
the  higher  mountains. 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY 


141 


39.  P.   protuberans,   Roezl. — Growing  upwards  of 
100  feet  high  on  the  mountains,  at  an  elevation  of  from. 
9,000  to  10,000  feet. 

40.  P.  Buonapartea,  Roezl—  Grows  130  feet  high, 
with  the  b ranches  in  regular  whorls.     This  is  the  "Pino 
Real"  or  Royal  Pine  of  the  Mexicans,  and  is  found  at  ele- 
vations from  11,000  to  12,000  feet.     It  is  a  splendid  species. 

41.  P.    cornea^  Roezl. — A  new  and  distinct  species 
from  the  Popocatapetl,  in  Mexico,  at  an  elevation  of  from 
10,000  to  11,000  feet;  said  to  be  fine. 

42.  P,   Regeliana,   Roezl.  —  One  of  the  very  finest 
of  Mexican  Pines,  found  on  the  mountains  at  an  elevation 
of  8,000  or  9,000  feet.     Leaves,  10  to  11  inches  long,  and 
slender. 

The  remainder  of  RoezPs  pines  are  thus  classed  by  Gor- 
don in  his  recent  supplement  to  the  Pinetum  : 
Fourteen  are   synonyms    of  P.  Hartwegii. 
Four  " 


One 

Four 

Three 

Eleven 

Five 

Ten 

Five 

Eighteen 

Three 

Ten 

Four 

Seven 

Five 

Five 

One 

One 


P.  protuberam. 
P.  Orizabce. 
P.  Buonapartea. 
P.  Loudoniana. 
P.filifolia. 
P.   Wincesteriana. 
P.  Teocote. 
P.  Devoniana. 
P.  Pseudo-Strobus. 
P.  macrophylla. 
P.  leiopTiylla. 
P.  Lindleyana. 
P.  Russelliana. 
P.  Montezumce. 
P.  patula. 
P.  cembroides. 
P.  Apulcensis. 


142  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

Three  kinds  are  not  sufficiently  known,  either  to  estab- 
lish their  claims  as  distinct  species,  or  to  determine  of 
which  they  are  synonyms. 

Our  attention  will  next  be  directed  to  the  older  species 
of  Mexican  Pines,  as  well  as  to  those  of  the  Eastern  Con- 
tinent that  we  suppose  to  be  too  tender  for  cultivation  in 
the  open  air  with  us. 

Belonging  to  the  Since  section,  are  the  following,  viz. : 

43.  P.    Merkusii,  Vriese. — Is  a   very  tender  species 
from  the  mountains  of  Sumatra,  Cochin-China,  Borneo, 
etc.,  where  it  grows  about  100  feet  high. 

44.  P.  Persica?  Strangways. — Is  from  the  south  of 
Persia,  where  it  forms  a  large  tree  with  rather  short,  slen- 
der branches,  and  numerous,  stiff,  deep  green  leaves. 

Gordon  mentions  a  doubtful  species  from  Palestine  and 
Arabia,  called  by  Sieber  P.  Arabica,  and  which  is  prob- 
ably nothing  more  than  jP.  JETalepensis. 

In  the  Ternaice  section  we  have 

45.  P.    Canaricnsis,  Smith.  — Is  from  the   Canary 
Islands,  growing  60  or  70  feet  high,  at  an  elevation  of 
from  4,000  to  6,000  feet,  and  forming  large  forests.     This 
pine  makes  a  beautiful  object  when  grown  in  pots  and 
sunk  in  the  ground. 

46.  P.    Cdlllis,   Engelmann.  —  Syn.    P.    cembroides, 
Gordon. — Must  not  be  confounded  with  the  P.  cembroides 
of  Zuccarini,  which  latter  plant  is  the  true  P.  Llaveana 
of  Schiede,  according  to  Gordon's  classification. 

Prof.  Torrey  says  of  this  pine,  in  Pac.  R.  R.  Report : 
"  Rocky  places  on  the  Llano  Estacado ;  also  near  Hurrah 
Creek,  New  Mexico,  Sept.  20 ;  with  ripe  seeds.  Near 
Bill  Williams'  Mountain,  Jan.  5.  A  tree  40  to  50  feet 
high,  called  Pinon  by  the  Mexicans,  and  Nut-Pine  by 
American  travellers.  It  is  found  from  150  miles  east  of 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  143 

the  Rio  Grande  to  the  Cajon  Pass  of  the  Sierra  Nevada. 
How  far  it  occurs  to  the  southward,  we  have  not  been 
able  to  ascertain." 

Dr.  Bigelow,  in  his  description  of  this  tree,  says :  "  It 
seldom  grows  large.  A  little  west  of  the  San  Francisco 
mountain,  and  at  the  Cajon,  it  is  found  from  40  to  50  feet 
high,  but  further  east  it  seldom  attains  more  than  24.  Its 
usual  height,  however,  is  about  30  feet.  The  nut  is  sweet 
and  edible,  about  the  size  of  a  hazel-nut." 

We  are  pleased  to  add  that  young  plants  of  this  species 
have  stood  out  in  the  open  air  near  Philadelphia,  for  the 
three  past  winters,  without  injury.  The  leaves  are  quite 
frequently  in  pairs. 

47.  P.  Chihuahuana,  Wislizenus. — Is  a  tree  of  some 
30  or  35  feet  in  height,  and  is  found  on  the  mountains  of 
Northern  Mexico  at  an  elevation  of  7,000  feet. 

48.  P.  insignis,  Douglas. — OREGON    PITCH    PINE. — 
This  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  species  belonging  to  the 
family,  and  lives  in  the  open  air  one  or  two  winters  if 
moderately  mild.     In  England  it   is   quite  hardy   and 
highly  valued.     It  is  a  native  of  California,  growing  from 
80  to  100  feet  high. 

49.  P.  insularis,  Endlicher. — Is  the  Timor  Pine  from 
the  Philippine  Islands  and  Island  of  Timor.     Its  long, 
slender,  dark-green  leaves,  are  very  beautiful,  but  its  spe- 
cific character  remains  somewhat  in  obscurity. 

50.  P,    Llaveana,  Seheide.  —  Syn.   P.   osteosperma, 
Wislizenus  ;   and  P.  cembroides,  Zuccarini. — Belongs  to 
the  large  edible-seeded  class  of  pines,  of  which  the  P. 
Pinea  is  the  type.     It  is  a  native  of  the  barren  and  sterile 
hills   of   Mexico,  where  it  forms  a  low,  spreading  tree 
scarcely  ever  exceeding  20  feet  in  height.     It  is  frequently 
found  in  cultivation  for  the  value  of  its  fruit.   Tender  here. 


144  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

51.  P.    longifolia,  Roxburgh. — LONG-LEAVED    PINE. 
— This  species  forms  a  splendid  plant  for  pot  culture,  but 
is  entirely  too  tender  for  out-door  cultivation  in  our  climate. 
It  is  a  native  of  the  Himalayas,  growing  from  40  to  100 
feet  in  height.     It  produces  an  abundant  supply  of  very 
fragrant  resin,  and  on  this  account  the  young  plants  are 
very  liable  to  be  destroyed  by  field  mice.     A  few  years 
since  we  had  several  fine  specimens  in  a  cold  frame,  along 
with  other  species  of  the  Conifer® ;  but  upon  examination 
in  the  spring  found  every  vestige  of  bark  eaten  from  our 
plants  of  P.  longifolia^  whilst  the  others  remained  un- 
touched. 

52.  P,  Parryana,  Gordon. — Is  from  the  Sierra  Nevada 
in  Upper  California,  forming  a  large-sized  tree  with  long, 
slender,  wavy  leaves,  and  bright,  glossy,  yellow  cones.     It 
resembles  P.  Benthamiana,  and  may  prove  hardy  here. 

53.  P,    patula,  Schiefle.  —  Is   one   of   the   most   ex- 
quisitely beautiful  trees  known  to  botanists,  and  in  a  large 
pot  or  tub  forms  an  excellent  representation  of  a  fountain. 
It  is  quite  abundant  in  some  parts  of  Mexico,  particularly 
in  the  colder  regions,  where  it  grows  to  the  height  of  from 
60  to  80  feet,  and  forms  the  most  perfect  specimen  of  a 
graceful,  drooping  Conifer  that  one  can  imagine. 

A  specimen  of  this  species  in  our  own  collection,  after 
having  arrived  at  the  height  of  6  feet,  was  accidentally 
overlooked  in  watering,  and  consequently  soon  perished  ; 
thus,  by  a  dearly  bought  experience,  we  learned  a  useful 
lesson  in  regard  to  growing  Conifers  in  pots. 

Var.  stricta,  Bentham,  and  var,  macrocarpa,  Schiede. 
— The  former  with  shorter  and  stiffer  foliage,  and  the  lat- 
ter with  very  large  cones,  are  possibly  not  more  handsome 
than  the  graceful  form  of  the  species. 

54.  P.  Pine can a ,  Gordon. — Is  another  of  the  graceful 
Pines  for  which.  Mexico  is  so  justly  celebrated.     It  gen- 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  145 

erally  forms  a  rather  large  tree  of  about  60  feet  in  height, 
and  although  the  leaves  are  of  but  moderate  length,  the 
branches  and  branchlets  are  remarkably  long,  slender,  and 
drooping,  and  present  a  beautiful  effect. 

55.  P,  Sinensis,  Lambert— Qf  which  there  are  three 
or  four  synonyms,  is  from  China  and  Japan,  and  is  found 
growing  very  plentifully,  particularly  on  the  more  elevat- 
ed situations.     It  is  about  50  or  60  feet  in  height,  although 
occasionally  not  over  30  or  40  feet  in  some  sections. 

56.  P.    Teocote,  Schiede. — This  is   the  Candle-wood 
Pine  from  the  mountains  of  Mexico,  and  is  a  tall,  resinous 
species  of  about  100  feet  in  height,  with  stiff  branches, 
very  densely  covered  with  leaves. 

Among  the  tender  and  uncertain  species  belonging  to 
the  Quince  section,  are  the  following  : 

57.  P.  Apulcensis,  Lindley. — One  of  Hartweg's   dis- 
coveries on  the  mountains  near  Apulco,  in  Mexico.     It 
grows  about   50   feet   in   height,  with   strong,  irregular 
branches,  and  slender,  wavy,  glaucous  leaves. 

58.  P.    Ayacahuite,   Ehrenberg. —  Another  Mexican 
species  of  large  size,  growing  about  100  feet  high,  and 
much  resembling  the  P.  Strobus  in  general  appearance. 

59.  P.  Dcvoniana,  Lindley. — Also  one  of  Hartweg's 
discoveries  from  the  Ocotillo  Mountains  in  Mexico,  where 
it  is  found  growing  from  60  to  80  feet  high.     This  species 
has  long,  slender  leaves  of  a  rich  shining  green  color. 

60.  P.    filifolia,  Lindley.— Grows   from  40  to  60  feet 
high,  and  is  a  native  of  Guatemala.     The  leaves  are  from 
12  to  14  inches  in  length,  and  very  handsome. 

61.  P.    Gordoniana,  Hartweg. — Was  discovered  by 
Hartweg  on  the  Saddle  Mountain  in  Mexico.     It  grows 

7 


146  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

from  60  to  80  feet  high,  with  very  long,  slender,  light 
green  leaves,  and,  according  to  Gordon,  "  has  the  longest 
and  finest  foliage  of  any  kind  yet  known." 

62,  P,    Grcnvilleae,    Gordon.  —  Is    likewise    one    of 
Hartweg's   discoveries,  with  splendid  long,  dark  green 
leaves,  and  a  very  robust  habit  of  growth.     It  was  first 
detected  in  the  same  locality  as  the  preceding,  and  attains 
about  the  same  height. 

63,  P,  Hartwegii,  Lindley. — Is  from  the  Campanario 
Mountain,  in  Mexico,  where  it  was  first  found  by  Hart- 
weg,  growing  from  40  to  50  feet  in  height.     On  the  Ori- 
zaba Mountains,  however,  it  frequently  attains  the  height 
of  100  feet. 

64,  P,  leiophylla,  Schiede. — Is   a  handsome,  smooth- 
leaved  pine  with  a  regular  form,  and  is  found  growing  in 
the  colder  regions  of  Mexico,  where  it  attains  the  height 
of  from  60  to  100  feet.    The  wood  is  very  hard  and 
resinous. 

65,  P.   Lindlcyana9   Gordon. — Is  from  the  mountains 
of  Mexico,  growing  about  50  feet  in  height.      Leaves, 
rather  long,  stout,  and  of  a  dark  green  color.     Although 
quite  hardy  in  England,  it  is  not  so  with  us. 

66,  P.   Loudoniana,  Gordon. — Is  one  of  the  newer 
introductions  from  Mexico,  where  the  trees  are  said  to 
grow  to  an  immense  size.     Leaves,  very  stout,  of  medium 
length,  and  quite  glaucous.    Cones,  very  large  and  straight, 
from  12  to  14  inches  long,  and  from  3  to  4  inches  in  diam- 
eter.    Seeds,  very  large. 

67,  P,    macrophylla,  Lindley. — A  beautiful  Mexican 
pine  with  dark  green  leaves,  about  14  inches  in  length. 
The  tree,  however,  is  of  only  medium  size,  but  compact 
and  striking  in  its  habit.     Discovered  by  Hartweg. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  147 

68.  P.    Monteznm<e,  Lambert.  —  Forms   a  medium- 
sized  or  rather  large  tree,  from  40  to  60  feet  in  height,  on 
the  mountains  of  Mexico,  and  is  probably  as  hardy  as  any 
of  the  Mexican  species.     Timber,  quite  excellent. 

69.  P.    OCCidentalis,    Swartz.  —  A  species  from  the 
West  Indies,  where  it  attains  the  height  of  20  or  30  feet, 
and  very  much  resembles  the  P.  Halepensis.     It  is  quite 
tender  in  England. 

70.  P.  OOCarpa,   Schiede. — A  Mexican  species  grow- 
ing from  40  to  50  feet  high,  with  rather  long,  slender,  pen- 
dulous leaves  of  a  light  green  color.     The  var.  oocarpo- 
ides,  of  Bentham,  is  a  more  beautiful  plant  with  slenderer 
leaves  and  smaller  cones,  and  perhaps  attaining  a  larger 
size. 

71.  P.  Orizafoaej  G-ordon. — Is  another  of  Hartweg's 
discoveries  from  the  Orizaba  Mountains,  in  Mexico,  grow- 
ing only  about  30  feet  high,  but  forming  quite  a  handsome 
tree. 

72.  P,  Pence,   Gfrisebach.  (?) — This  handsome  pine, 
which  has  been  incorrectly  placed  as  a  synonym  of  P. 
Cembra,  by  Gordon,  is  a  native  of  Macedonia,  on  the  sides 
of  Mount  Peristeri,  and  is  more  nearly  related  to  P.  Stro- 
bus  than  to  P.  Cembra.     It  is  the  "  PeuJce  "  of  the  Greeks, 
and  may  perhaps  live  in  our  climate. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  we  have  been  enabled  to 
obtain  additional  and  more  reliable  information  in  regard 
to  this  new  pine  (?).  In  the  year  1839,  Dr.  Grisebach  was 
travelling  in  Rumelia  and  observed  a  5-leaved  pine  which 
he  thought  new.  The  locality  was  on  Mount  Peristeri,  an 
eastern  district  of  Macedonia  bordering  on  Dalmatia,  in 
lat.  41°  N".,  Ion.  21°  K,  and  it  grew  in  an  uninterrupted 
wood  of  trees  from  2,400  to  5,800  feet  in  altitude.  In  favor- 
able situations  it  formed  -a  tree  about  40  feet  high,  but 


148  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREEXS. 

dwindled  into  a  small  bush  higher  up.  Endlicher,  Lou- 
don,  and  Gordon,  all  refer  it  to  the  Cembra  group,  but  Dr. 
Hooker  has  proved  it  to  be  identical  with  P.  excelsa  of 
the  Himalayas,  with  rather  shorter  leaves  than  those  in 
the  Asiatic  form.  It  has  been  found  nowhere  between 
Macedonia  and  Affghanistan,  a  distance  of  2,200  miles. 

73,  P.   Pseudo-StrobllS,  Lindley. — Has  much  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  common  White  Pine,  with  long,  slender, 
glaucous  leaves,  and  long  cones.     It  is  generally  found  on 
the  higher  mountains  of  Mexico  at  an  elevation  of  8,000 
feet,  and  forming  a  tree  from  60  to  80  feet  in  height. 

74,  P,    Russclliana,   Lindley.  —  Another  of   those 
beautiful  Mexican  pines  with  dense,  dark  green  foliage, 
and  about  the  same  size  as  the  preceding  species.     ]STot 
hardy  here. 

75,  P,  StroM  for  nils,    Wislizenus. — Is   from  Northern 
Mexico,  on  the  higher  peaks  of  the  mountains,  where  it 
grows    to  a  very  large   size  and  attains  the  height  of 
from  100  to  130  feet.     The  leaves  are  short  but  slender, 
and  of  a  peculiar  light  glaucous-green  color. 

76,  P,  tonuifolia,  Hentham. — Has  rather  long,  slender 
foliage,  of  a  beautiful  glossy-green  color,  and  grows  about 
100  feet  in  height.     It  is  a  native  of  Guatemala,  where  it 
often  constitutes  whole  forests. 

77,  P,  Wincesteriana,   Gordon. — Leaves,   very  long 
and  glaucous,  and  borne  on  stout,  spreading  branches.     It 
is  a  native  of  the  Saddle  Mountain  in  Mexico,  and  attains 
a  height  of  from  60  to  80  feet. 

A  doubtful  species  has  been  introduced  from  Mexico 
under  the  name  of  P.  Ehreribergii,  Endlicher,  which  is 
probably  but  a  form  of  P.  leiophytta. 

The  following  new  and  rare  species  will  possibly  prove 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  149 

hardy,  but  as  they  are  all  untested,  we  have  deemed  it  ex- 
pedient to  place  them  in  a  separate  list  from  the  main  por- 
tion of  the  genus. 

78,  P.    albicaulis,  Engdmann. — "Syn.   P.   cembro- 
ides,  Newberry,  Pac.  R.  R.  Rep.  6,  Bot,  p.  44,  c.  ic.,  non 
Zucc. — An  alpine  species  from  the  Cascade  Mountains  in 
Oregon ;  may  be  a  western  form  of  this  species  (P.  flexills^ 
James,)  though  I  am  inclined  to  consider  it  as  different, 
and  intermediate  between  P.  flexilis  and  P.  Cembra,  dis- 
tinguished by  the  pubescent   branchlets,  few   scattered 
teeth  on  the  edge  of  the  leaves,  and  especially  by  the 
short  oval  cones  with  thick  squarrose  scales  pointed  with 
a  knob.     The  name  is  suggested  by  the  color  of  the  bark 
of  the  tree,  which  is  as  white  as  milk"     (Engelmann.) 

79,  P,  Balfouriana,  Jeffrey.  —  Has  been  introduced 
into  English  collections,  and  is  described  as  very  distinct 
and  quite  hardy,  but  not  proven  in  the  Eastern  States  to 
our  knowledge.     It  is  a  handsome  tree  80  feet  high,  and 
was  first  seen  by  Jeffrey  on  the  mountains  of  Northern 
California,  at  elevations  varying  from  5,000  to  8,000  feet. 
The  leaves  are  mostly  5  in  a  sheath,  but  occasionally  3 
and    4,    short,   rigid,    numerous,   and    glaucous    below. 
Branches,  very  flexible  and  drooping.     Cones,  very  resin- 
ous, pendulous,  brown,  with  medium-sized  seeds. 

80,  P,  Frieseana,  says  the  Regensburger  Flora,  "  was 
called  after  the  eminent  botanist  at  the  University  of  Up- 
sula,  Sweden,  and  is  the  Pine  of  Laponia,  which  Linnaeus 
and  Wahlenburg,  without  any  other  comment,  classified 
with  P.  sylvestris.     It  differs,  however,  from  the  latter, 
in  being  found  at  higher  elevations  than  the  Abies  ex- 
celsa,  whilst  P.  sylvestris  is  generally  found  on  lower  ones. 
The  bark  of  P.  Frieseana  is  likewise  cracked,  but  does 
not  scale  off  like  that  of  the  Scotch  Pine.     The  leaves  are 
more  rigid,  and  their  axis  from  the  branches  is  larger." 


150  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

81.  P.   lophosperma,  Lindley. — A  new  species  from 
Lower  California,  of  large  size,  and  very  handsome.     The 
leaves  are  from  8  to  10  inches  long,  and  rigid.     The  cones 
are  from  4Jr  to  5^-  inches  in  length  and  3  inches  in  diame- 
ter, nearly  globular,  and  very  glossy.     Seeds,  very  large 
and  crested ;  hence  the  name.     The  young  shoots  are  cov- 
ered with  a  light  glaucous  bloom.     Discovered  by  the 
collector  Lobb,  in  the  year  1860. 

82.  P.    Torreyana,  Parry.  —  A  new  and  uncertain 
species  from  California,  closely  resembling  the  P.  Sabini- 
ana  /   the  cones  of  the  former  are,  however,  smaller,  and 
the  leaves  five  in  a  sheath.     The  foliage  is  not  unlike  that 
of  P.  macrocarpa,  but  shorter  and  stouter.     The  seeds 
are  very  large  and  furnished  with  a  long  brown  wing.     It 
has  been  in  cultivation  in  some  of  the  French  nurseries, 
but  is  unknown  in  ours.     Doubtless  hardy  with  us. 

The  following  group  of  pines  is  native  to  Japan,  and 
as  they  are  yet  untested  with  us,  they  must  occupy  a  po- 
sition at  present  midway  between  the  hardy,  tested  species 
and  those  we  have  every  reason  to  expect  will  prove  ten- 
der in  this  country.  Owing  to  the  similarity  of  the  climate 
of  Japan  with  that  of  some  portions  of  our  own  country, 
we  have  sufficient  grounds  on  which  to  base  the  supposi- 
tion that  most  of  these  rare  Conifers  will  succeed  with  us. 
We  have,  therefore,  described  them  more  fully  than  we 
otherwise  should  have  done. 

To  the  excellent  new  work  entitled  "  Pines  and  Firs 
of  Japan,"  by  Andrew  Murray,  F.  L.  S.,  we  are  indebted 
for  the  majority  of  the  descriptions  and  corrections  in  the 
nomenclature  of  this  interesting  group. 

In  the  JBince  section  are  the  following  fine  species : 

83.  P.    MaSSOIliana,    Siebold.  —  Syn.   P.    sylvestris, 
Thuriberg ;   P.  rubra,  Siebold;  P.  Pinaster,  London. — 
Leaves,  from  4  to  6  inches  long,  from  rather  short,  fringed 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  151 

sheaths,  rigid,  twisted,  slightly  flexuose,  convex  on  the 
outer  side,  concave  on  the  inner,  slightly  serrulate  on  the 
margin,  straight,  acute,  glaucous-green  color.  Cones, 
from  1  to  1^-  inches  long,  sub-conical,  incurved,  solitary, 
and  numerous  ;  with  small,  oblong,  woody,  closely  imbri- 
cated scales,  surmounted  by  small,  very  deciduous  prick- 
les. Seeds,  very  small,  sub-rhomboidal,  chestnut-colored ; 
with  short,  membranaceous,  cultriform,  striped  wings. 
Cotyledons,  6. 

There  appears  to  have  been  much  confusion  in  classify- 
ing this  species,  as  London,  Don,  and  Gordon,  all  placed 
it  as  a  synonym  of  P.  Pinaster  •  but  Murray  very  clearly 
explains  its  true  and  distinct  specific  character,  and  gives 
many  interesting  incidents  in  connection  with  its  growth 
and  history  principally  from  observations  made  by  Siebold, 
and  from  which  we  condense  the  following  remarks. 

This  tree  is  usually  from  40  to  50  feet  high,  be- 
coming a  small  shrub  at  high  elevations,  although  isolated 
specimens  are  occasionally  found  in  a  wild  state  growing 
to  a  gigantic  size. 

Along  the  sea-coast,  they  are  often  found  much  twisted 
and  deformed,  owing  to  their  exposure  to  hurricanes.  Of 
all  the  Conifers  it  is  the  most  widely  distributed  in  Japan, 
not  only  growing  wild,  but  also  in  the  cultivated  grounds. 
The  Japanese  display  great  tact  and  ingenuity  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  this  pine,  and  trim  it  into  almost  every 
conceivable  form. 

Siebold  mentions  a  visit  he  paid  to  the  celebrated  tree 
called  Theehaus  N~aniwaga,  the  branches  of  which  arti- 
ficially extended  over  a  circuit  of  135  paces;  on  the  other 
hand,  they  showed  him  at  Jeddo  a  dwarf  tree  planted  in 
a  lacquered  box,  of  which  the  branches  did  not  occupy 
more  than  two  square  inches.  Siebold  likewise  mentions 
that  he  saw  dwarf  trees,  on  which  were  united  by  graft- 
ing the  greater  part  of  the  species  and  varieties  of  pine 
cultivated  in  Japan.  There  are  a  large  number  of  curious 
varieties  of  the  P.  Massoniana  in  cultivation  by  the 


152  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

Japanese,  amongst  which  is  one  with  leaves  similar  to 
Fremont's  Pine,  and  another  with  beautiful  spotted  foliage. 
The  wood  is  resinous,  very  tenacious,  and  durable.  Not 
yet  tested  here. 

84.  P.  densiflora,  Siebold.  —  Syn.  P.  Japonica, 
Antoine  ;  P.  Pinea,  Gordon,  in  Pinetum,  (1858.) — Leaves, 
from  3  to  4  inches  long,  from  short,  fringed,  scale-like 
sheaths,  slender,  stiff,  acute,  slightly  serrulate  on  the 
margin,  convex  above,  concave  beneath,  smooth,  and  sub- 
glaucous.  Cones,  1 J  inches  long,  short  peduncled,  conical, 
obtuse,  ligneous,  somewhat  pendent,  terminal,  and  very 
numerous ;  with  linear-oblong,  woody  scales,  terminating 
in  a  small,  very  deciduous  prickle.  Seeds,  very  small,  el- 
liptic, with  a  striped,  dull  brown,  membranaceous  wing. 
Cotyledons,  mostly  6. 

Although  this  species  is  found  growing  all  over  Japan, 
it  is  much  more  plentiful  at  the  north,  and  frequently 
forms  large  forests  with  P.  Massoniana.  Siebold  men- 
tions isolated  specimens  in  the  environs  of  Nagasaki,  that 
were  40  feet  high,  or  over.  It  is  generally  very  abundant 
on  the  mountain  slopes,  occurring  at  a  height  of  from 
1,000  to  2,000  feet.  At  an  elevation  of  3,500  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea,  it  becomes  a  mere  bush.  It  is  nearly 
allied  to  and  resembles  P.  Massoniana,  with  which 
species  it  has  been  frequently  confounded. 

Murray  says  of  P.  densiflora  :  tc  A  tree  often  reaching 
the  height  of  40  feet,  or  even  more,  with  a  straight,  taper- 
ing trunk ;  smooth,  cinereous  brown  bark ;  the  branchlets 
dirty  cinereous  brown,  glabrous,  roughened  with  the  bases 
of  the  persistent  and  falling  scales."  The  lumber  furnish- 
ed by  this  species  is  of  excellent  quality,  but  the  scarcity 
of  large  trunks  prevents  its  extensive  use.  The  resin  is 
manufactured  into  salves,  etc.,  by  the  Japanese,  and  the 
soot  is  used  largely  for  making  India  ink. 

In  the  Ternatw  section  of  the  Pine  Family,  there  are 
no  species  known  positively  to  be  natives  of  Japan,  al- 


THE  PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  153 

though  Japanese  authors  mention  the  existence  of  several 
having  from  3  to  7  leaves  in  a  sheath.  Under  a  supposi- 
tion that  the  P.  Bungeana  of  Zuccarini,  a  native  of  Chi- 
na, may  be  identical  with  one  of  the  above,  Murray  has 
described  it  as  a  native  of  Japan,  and  indeed  Siebold  ap- 
parently inclined  to  the  same  opinion.  On  their  authority 
we  have  accordingly  introduced  it  in  our  Japanese  group 
of  pines. 

85,  P,  Bungeana,  Zuccarini.  —  Leaves,  from  2  to  3 
inches  long,  from  short  and  very  deciduous  sheaths,  very 
rigid,  crowded  on  the  young  shoots,  convex  on  the  outer 
surface,  keeled  on  the  inner,  serrulate  on  the  margin,  fre- 
quently in  bundles  on  the  ends  of  the  branches,  and  some- 
what in  whorls.  Cones,  2J  inches  long,  ovate,  or  slightly 
conical,  obtuse,  with  thin,  concave  scales,  ending  in  a 
short,  stout,  reflexed  point,  somewhat  sunken.  Seeds, 
medium  size,  roundish,  with  a  very  short  wing. 

We  make  the  following  extracts  from  Murray's  Conif- 
ers of  Japan.  "  The  native  habitat  of  Mr.  Fortune's  tree 
is  far  in  the  north  of  China,  between  Pekin  and  the  west- 
ern hills,  one  of  the  coldest  and  most  desolate  looking  dis- 
tricts in  winter,  which  an  inhabited  and  cultivated  country 
can  well  be. 

"  The  character  and  habit  of  this  tree  is  very  marked 
and  peculiar.  In  the  young  state  it  is  chiefly  distinguish- 
ed from  its  allies  by  its  light  gray  bark,  and  the  absence 
of  sheaths  to  the  bundles  of  leaves.  But  when  of  mature 
age,  and  grown  to  its  full  size,  its  characteristics  are  much 
more  remarkable.  Its  bark  peels  off  as  in  Arbutus  An- 
clrachne,  leaving  the  stem  and  branches  nearly  white,  pro- 
ducing, as  may  be  supposed,  a  very  peculiar  effect.  The 
tree,  too,  grows  with  a  very  straight  stem  to  the  height 
of  about  4  or  5  feet,  and  about  2  feet  in  diameter,  or  a 
little  more.  From  this  spring  numerous  branches,  not 
spreading  out  horizontally  or  divergently,  as  in  other  trees, 
but  rushing  straight  up  to  a  great  height.  It  is  like  a  pol- 
7* 


154  THE   BOOK   OF  EVERGREENS. 

lard,  only  the  branches  grow  all  straight  up.  After  reach- 
ing a  certain  height,  they  branch  out,  forming  a  top  or 
head  of  the  tree." 

The  saine  author  states  that,  "  looking  at  the  bitter  cold 
of  the  country  from  which  this  species  comes,  it  was,  of 
course,  to  be  expected  that  it  would  prove  hardy  in  our 
milder  climate,  and  so  it  has  proved." 

Having  succeeded  so  well  in  England,  and  in  view  of 
the  character  of  the  country  of  which  it  is  a  native,  we 
think  it  will  prosper  here. 

There  are  two  fine  species  belonging  to  the  Quince  sec- 
tion, as  follows : 

86.  P.    Koraicnsis,  Siebold.— Syn.  P.  Strobus,  Thun- 
berg. — Leaves,  from  3  to  4  inches  long,  with  long,  very 
deciduous,  transparent,   and   entire  sheaths,  slender,  fili- 
form, trigonal,  clustered  at  the  ends  of  the  branchlets, 
glaucous-green  color.     Cones,  4£  inches  long,  ovate-cylin- 
drical, obtuse,  subsessile,  erect;    with  numerous  woody, 
coriaceous,  glabrous,  dull  yellowish-brown  scales.     Seeds, 
large,  oblong,  wingless,  with  a  smooth,  hard,  fawn-colored 
shell.     Cotyledons,  11  to  13. 

This  species  is  but  a  small  tree  growing  from  10  to  12 
feet  in  height,  and,  according  to  Siebold,  probably  intro- 
duced into  Japan  from  the  neighboring  Corea.'  It  is  only 
found  in  cultivated  grounds,  and  is  quite  rare.  The  seeds 
are  large  and  edible. 

Murray  says :  "  The  tree  is  allied  to  the  Mexican  spe- 
cies discovered  by  M.  Roezl,  and  described  by  Mr.  Gor- 
don under  the  names  of  JP.  Buonapartea,  P.  Veitchii,  etc., 
etc.,  especially  in  the  form  and  appearance  of  the  cone  and 
scales."  It  is  also  allied  to,  and  has  been  confounded  with 
the  P.  parviflora,  Siebold,  but  it  is  very  distinct  from 
this,  both  in  the  leaves  and  seeds. 

87.  P.  parviflora,  Siebold.— Syn.  P.  Cembra,   Thun- 
berg. — Leaves,  from  f  to  1  inch  long,  from  long,  membra- 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  155 

naceous  sheaths,  short,  stiff,  twisted,  shortly  acute,  trigo- 
nal, glaucous-green  color.  Cones,  from  2  to  4  inches  long, 
elliptic-oval,  obtuse,  containing  about  50  scales ;  scales, 
large,  wedge-shaped,  coriaceous,  sub-orbicular,  and  ashy- 
brown  color.  Seeds,  large,  obliquely  elliptic-obovate,  ob- 
tuse at  both  ends,  with  a  short,  dark-brown  wing,  and  a 
smooth,  opaque,  dark-brown  shell.  Cotyledons,  8  to  10. 

A  small  or  medium-sized  tree,  which,  according  to  Sie- 
bold,  is  spread  by  cultivation  through  all  the  provinces  of 
Japan,  although  originally  belonging  to  the  north  of  that 
empire,  extending  from  nearly  35°  1ST.  L.,  as  far  north  as 
the  Kurile  Isles.  The  trees  of  this  species  which  Siebold 
observed  in  the  gardens  and  public  promenades  did  not 
exceed  25  feet  in  height,  but  upon  the  north-east  slope  of 
the  Fakone  Mountains  he  saw  more  lofty  specimens. 


2.— ABIES,    Town.— SPRUCE.    FIR. 

Leaves,  all  of  one  kind,  not  clustered.  Male  aments,  in 
the  axils  of  the  leaves.  Fertile  aments  lateral  or  terminal 
on  branches  of  the  preceding  year.  Scales  of  cones  thin, 
not  thickened  at  their  apex  nor  prickly-tipped,  persistent 
or  deciduous. 

The  Spruces,  Hemlocks  and  Firs,  are  by  some  botanists 
placed  in  the  distinct  genera  Abies,  Tsuga,  and  Picea. 
The  older  writers  called  the  Spruce,  Picea,  and  the  Fir, 
Abies;  Linnaeus  reversed  these  terms,  and  we  now  find 
writers  differing  in  their  use  of  them,  some  following  Lin- 
naeus, and  others  adopting  the  views  of  Link,  who  adheres 
to  the  older  nomenclature.  As  the  characters  upon  which 
the  distinctions  of  these  three  genera  are  founded  are  not 
well  settled,  it  better  suits  the  purpose  of  the  present 
work  to  place  Tsuga  and  Picea  as  sub-genera  of  Abies,  as 
follows : 


156  THE   BOOK    OF   EVEBGEEENS. 

§  !•  Abies. — SPETJCE. — Leaves  4-sided,  mostly  scattered 
all  around  the  branches.  Anther  cells  opening  lengthwise. 
Cones  nodding  or  pendent,  solitary,  terminal,  with  persist- 
ent scales.  Seeds  without  balsamiferous  vesicles,  parting 
freely  from  the  wing. 

§  2.  Tsuga. — HEMLOCK  SPEUCE. — Leaves,  flat,  petioled, 
appearing  two-ranked,  channelled  above,  keeled  and 
mostly  whitened  beneath.  Anther  cells  opening  trans- 
versely. Cones,  drooping,  solitary,  persistent.  Seed  re- 
maining attached  to  the  wing. 

§  3.  Picca* — FIR, — Leaves,  petioled,  somewhat  two- 
ranked.  Cones,  erect  at  maturity,  the  scales  falling  from 
the  persistent  axis.  Seeds,  falling  freely  from  the  wing, 
and  having  balsamiferous  vesicles. 

§  l.-AKIES.-SPRUCE. 

The  Spruces  proper  are  found  most  plentifully  in 
America,  but  are  also  natives  of  portions  of  Europe  and 
Asia,  especially  the  colder  sections.  The  finest  speci- 
mens are  from  our  north-west  coast.  A  large  majority  of 
the  Spruces  being  natives  of  a  climate  somewhat  similar  to 
our  own,  have  very  fortunately  proven  available  in  land- 
scape gardening  with  us  in  many  situations.  As  a  gen- 
eral rule,  all  plants  from  the  Pacific  coast,  although  coming 
from  equally  as  cold  a  climate  as  our  own,  and  in  many 
instances  even  more  rigid,  are  destroyed  by  the  sudden 
changes  of  our  Eastern  winters. 

Although  not  equalling  in  value  the  Pines  proper,  the 
timber  furnished  by  the  Spruces  is,  in  many  instances,  of 
great  use  in  the  arts.  The  White  Deal  of  the  Abies  ex- 
celsa  and  of  the  A.bies  Canadensis  is  celebrated  in  their 
respective  countries  for  cheapness  and  value.  Other 
species  also  furnish  excellent  lumber,  although  not  in 
great  quantities, 

The  resinous  sap  that  exudes  from  the  different  species 
is  not  qf  equal  value  witfy  that  of  the  Pines,  but  is  never- 
theless occasionally  used  for  various  minor  purposes.  The 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  157 

young  branchlets  of  the  A.,  nigra  furnish  an  excellent  es- 
sence for  forming  a  popular  drink  known  as  "Spruce 
Beer."  Tanning  properties  are  also  contained  in  the  bark 
of  some  of  the  genus,  and  particularly  in  that  of  the  A. 
Canadensis,  which,  in  some  districts  where  these  trees  are 
very  abundant,  is  exceedingly  valuable,  and  large  numbers 
of  them  are  destroyed  for  this  purpose  alone. 

In  parks  and  pleasure  grounds  the  true  Spruces  are  of 
the  greatest  importance,  combining  as  they  do  a  regular 
conical  form  with  a  graceful  drooping  habit,  almost  unob- 
tainable in  the  other  genera.  Take,  for  instance,  the  pop- 
ular Norway  Spruce,  which  appears  to  combine  in  itself 
all  the  points  necessary  to  form  a  perfect  tree,  and  we 
have  the  type  of  the  genus. 

It  A.  alba,  Michaux. — WHITE  OR  SINGLE  SPRUCE. — 
Leaves,  from  \  to  f  or  j-  of  an  inch  long,  erect,  rather  slender, 
rigid,  scattered,  needle-shaped,  incurved,  light  glaucous- 
green  color.  Cones,  from  1  to  2  inches  long,  oblong-cylin- 
drical, with  entire  scales.  Seeds,  very  small,  with  the 
wing  f-  of  an  inch  long. 

We  have  always  been  pleased  with  the  appearance  of 
this  hardy  little  tree,  on  account  of  its  compact  habit  of 
growth,  regular  conical  outline,  and  soft,  glaucous-green 
color ;  and  although  the  branches  may  have  a  stiff  and 
formal  look,  the  general  outline  is  so  perfect  that  one  loses 
sight  of  this  imperfection.  Its  greatest  beauty  is  seen  in 
the  young  trees,  for  after  having  arrived  at  mature  age 
the  foliage  becomes  deficient  and  the  effect  is  lost  in  a 
measure. 

The  White  Spruce  is  a  native  of  the  northern  portions 
of  the  United  States,  Canada,  etc.,  extending  very  far 
north  to  the  extreme  confines  of  vegetation,  and  is  gener- 
ally found  along  the  cold  mountain  ranges  in  damp  situ- 
ations, or  swampy  ground.  It  grows  from  25  to  50  feet 
in  height,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  soil  and  the  lati- 
tude. Nuttall  says  that  Dr.  Richardson  found  it  on  the 


158 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 


Fig.    20.— WHITE     SPRUCE— ABIES    ALBA.— FROM    A    PHOTOGRAPH    OF    A 
SPECIMEN,   20  FEET  HIGH,   IN   THE   AUTHOR'S   COLLECTION. 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  159 

Coppermine  River,  in  latitude  67^-°,  within  twenty  miles 
of  the  Arctic  Sea,  where  it  attained  the  height  of  twenty 
feet  or  more ;  but  in  its  usual  native  forests  it  rarely  ex- 
ceeds 50  feet  in  height.  The  same  author  also  mentions, 
according  to  London,  a  tree  growing  in  Down,  Ireland, 
60  years  planted,  which  measures  55  feet  in  height ;  and 
another  in  Galway,  at  Cool,  is  56  feet  in  height,  with  a  di- 
ameter of  2J-  feet. 

This  species,  from  its  close  resemblance  to  A.,  nigra,  or 
Black  Spruce,  has  been  considered  by  some  botanists  as  a 
well-marked  variety  of  the  latter,  with  less  numerous  and 
longer  leaves,  and  having  cones  of  a  different  form,  with 
entire  scales.  We  are  inclined  to  think  its  specific  dis- 
tinction is  based  on  a  rather  unsubstantial  foundation,  and 
would  have  been  pleased  had  our  authorities  seen  proper 
to  have  reduced  it  to  a  variety.  It  is  much  less  common 
than  the  Black  Spruce,  and  is  generally  found  growing  in 
the  same  situations,  although  the  former  is  found  a  few 
degrees  further  south.  The  wood  is  inferior  to  that  of 
the  latter,  and  the  young  shoots,  when  bruised,  have  an 
unpleasant  odor. 

The  charming  color  of  this  tree,  and  particularly  of  the 
young  plants,  has  made  it  a  great  favorite  with  arboricul- 
turists, and  for  ornamental  purposes  it  is  very  far  superior 
to  the  Black  Spruce ;  indeed,  the  latter  species  is  not  usu- 
ally considered  of  sufficient  excellence  to  be  classed  among 
the  ornamental  trees.  In  a  group  of  the  darker-foliaged 
evergreens,  a  fine  plant  of  Abies  alba,  placed  in  the  fore- 
ground, will  always  excite  admiration  from  the  lively  con- 
trast exhibited ;  and  when  we  take  into  consideration  its 
perfect  hardiness,  we  have  no  hesitation  in  pronouncing  it 
one  of  our  most  desirable  species. 

There-  is  a  variety  (in  the  common  acceptation  of  the 
term)  called  coerulea^  with  a  light  bluish  tint  on  the  foli- 
age, which  is  recognized  by  some  foreign  nurserymen  ; 


ICO  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

but  as  this  peculiarity  is  so  changeable  and  of  such  little 
value,  it  has  not  been  recognized  in  this  country. 

Var,  liana,  Eoudon. — Is  a  very  pretty,  compact,  small 
bush,  about  3  feet  in  height,  like  the  species  in  other  re- 
spects. 

Var.  minima9  Knight. — Is  quite  rare,  and  remarkably 
dwarf  in  its  habit.  It  is  of  French  origin  and  is  given 
by  Carriere  as  JPicea  alba  echinoformis.  It  is  so  minute 
in  every  portion  of  the  plant,  and  so  regularly  globular  in 
outline,  as  to  suggest  the  name  of  "  Hedgehog  Spruce." 

Var,  glaiica,  Plumbly. — DIMSDALE'S  SILVEE  SPKTJCE. — 
Is  another  handsome  and  distinct  European  variety,  as  yet 
unintroduced  into  this  country.  It  has  very  silvery  glau- 
cous leaves,  but  in  size  equal  to  the  species. 

2.  A,  excelsa,  De  Candolle. — NOEWAY  SPEUCE. — Syn. 
A.  Picea,  Michaux  and  Miller,  not  of  Lindley. — Leaves, 
scarcely  1  inch  in  length,  rigid,  curved,  scattered,  acute, 
dark  green  color.  Branches,  numerous  and  drooping. 
Cones,  from  5  to  7  inches  long,  pendent  at  maturity ;  with 
slightly  incurved,  rhomboidal  scales.  Seeds,  barely  -J  of 
an  inch  long,  reddish-brown  color,  acute  and  rough,  with 
a  long  wing.  Cotyledons,  7  to  9. 

This  tree  has  become  so  common  that,  to  describe  it,  one 
feels  as  if  introducing  an  old  and  intimate  friend.  A  re- 
cent writer  has  said  of  this  tree  that  it  is  "  so  well  known 
and  so  useful,  that  the  term  evergreen  has  become  almost 
synonymous  with  Norway  Spruce" 

The  Norway  Spruce  is  found  in  the  northern  climates 
of  Europe  and  Asia,  and  becomes  rare  in  descending  to- 
wards the  south.  In  France,  Italy,  and  Spain,  it  abounds 
only  among  the  mountains,  in  deep  valleys,  and  on  declivi- 
ties exposed  to  the  north.  On  the  Alps,  at  an  elevation 
of  from  4,000  to  6,500  feet,  it  comprises  vast  forests,  and 
occasionally  at  a  still  greater  elevation  it  grows  in  a 
dwarfish  state.  It  is  also  grown  in  large  quantities  in 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  161 

portions  of  Norway,  Sweden,  Russia,  etc.,  young  seedlings 
having  been  planted  for  the  purpose  of  growing  timber. 

This  species  usually  attains  the  height  of  from  120  to 
150  feet,  and  from  3  to  5  feet  in  diameter,  and  is  said  to 
require  a  century  to  perfect  its  growth.  It  is  therefore 
very  probably  the  largest  Conifer,  if  not  the  largest  tree 
in  Europe,  and  certainly  the  most  valuable,  for  the  colder 
countries  especially. 

In  a  comparison  of  the  A.  excelsa  with  our  native  spe- 
cies, we  must  confess  to  having  not  one  that  will  compare 
with  this  invaluable  tree  for  every  purpose.  Its  great 
hardiness  enables  it  to  withstand  the  utmost  rigors  of  ev- 
ery portion  of  onr  country,  and  the  ease  with  which  it 
adapts  itself  to  almost  every  soil  stamps  it  as  superior  in 
that  respect.  Its  gracefulness  of  outline,  rapidity  of 
growth,  and  dark  verdure,  also  render  it  particularly 
pleasing,  and  have  placed  it  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  ever- 
green trees. 

On  the  other  hand  there  is  a  certain  monotony  in  a  large 
belt  or  clump  of  Norway  Spruces  that  produces  an  impres- 
sion of  sameness,  so  that  they  should  never  be  used  indis- 
criminately, but  with  a  careful  judgment  and  an  appreci- 
ating taste  as  to  effect. 

Meehan,  in  his  Hand-book  of  Ornamental  Trees,  says : 
"There  is  a  great  diversity  of  opinion  respecting  the 
merits  of  this  tree  in  a  landscape.  The  objection  is  chiefly 
to  the  monotonous  formality  of  its  appearance ;  yet  when 
it  is  in  a  situation  highly  artificial,  or  extra-natural,  as  near 
ornamental  buildings,  on  rugged  rocky  places,  or  on  the 
tops  of  informal  hills,  there  is  probably  nothing  more 
beautiful." 

Downing  considered  it  by  far  the  handsomest  of  the 
Spruces,  and  adds :  "  The  Norway  Spruce  is  the  great  tree 
of  the  Alps;  and  as  a  park  tree,  to  stand  alone,  we 
scarcely  know  a  more  beautiful  one.  It  then  generally 
branches  not  quite  down  to  the  ground,  and  its  fine  sweep- 


162  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

ing,  feathery  branches  hang  down  in  the  most  graceful  and 
pleasing  manner." 

Gilpin,  who  was  almost  a  cynic  in  his  dislike  to  regularly 
formed  trees,  and  who  disliked  the  White  Pine  on  account 
of  its  smooth  bark,  even,  conical  form,  and  the  exact  dis- 
position of  its  branches,  thus  speaks  of  the  Norway 
Spruce :  "  The  Spruce  Fir  is  generally  esteemed  a  more 
elegant  tree  than  the  Scotch  Pine,  and  the  reason,  I  sup- 
pose, is,  because  it  often  feathers  to  the  ground  and  grows 
in  a  more  exact  and  regular  shape;  but  this  is  a  principal 
objection  to  it.  It  often  wants  both  form  and  variety. 
We  admire  its  floating  foliage  in  which  it  sometimes  ex- 
ceeds all  other  trees ;  but  it  is  rather  disagreeable  to  see  a 
repetition  of  these  feathery  strata,  beautiful  as  they  are, 
reared  tier  above  tier  in  regular  order,  from  the  bottom 
of  a  tree  to  the  top."  The  same  author  further  speaks  of 
having  its  interest  heightened  by  an  accidental  loss  of 
branches,  etc.  Gilpin,  it  appears,  is  not  alone  in  this  opinion 
of  the  Norway  Spruce,  for  it  seems  that  the  author  of  the 
Planter's  Calendar  says  "that  next  to  the  Lombardy 
Poplar  and  the  Scotch  Pine,  it  is  the  least  ornamental  of 
common  trees." 

The  writings  of  Sir  James  Edward  Smith,  and  Sir 
Thomas  Dick  Lauder,  abound  in  praises  of  this  tree,  espe- 
cially when  seen  in  its  wild,  native  beauty,  and  associated 
with  the  grandeur  of  the  Alpine  scenery. 

To  the  uninformed  planter  who  has  but  a  limited  space 
to  devote  to  ornamental  trees,  we  say  plant  the  Norway 
Spruce,  but  at  the  same  time  bear  in  mind  that  the  little 
plot  of  10  or  12  feet  square  is  not  the  place  for  it.  A  too 
common  error  in  our  rural  villages  is  that  of  crowding 
species  of  the  largest  size  into  a  small  place  that  would 
scarcely  contain  a  large-sized  shrub,  and  the  consequence 
is  that  after  a  few  years,  the  tree  has  to  be  removed  or 
destroyed. 

Another  advantage  that  this  species  has  over  most  other 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  163 

trees  is  its  great  value  for  shelter,  for  which  we  have  al- 
ready advocated  it  in  our  chapter  devoted  to  Hedges  and 
Screens.  A  thickly  planted  belt  of  these  trees  on  the  north 
side  of  an  orchard,  or  of  young  plantations  of  ornamen- 
tal trees,  or  even  of  the  house  and  farm  buildings,  proves 
an  effectual  barrier  to  the  high,  cold  winds  that  frequently 
come  from  that  quarter  and  destroy  our  fruit  crop,  or  our 
half-hardy  plants,  as  well  as  increase  our  bills  for  fuel  dur- 
ing the  winter  months. 

On  the  Western  prairies  pomologists  are  awakening  to 
a  just  sense  of  this  important  subject,  and  of  all  the  hardy 
evergreens  this  appears  to  be  the  most  suitable  for  shelter. 
Dense  and  compact  in  its  growth,  hardy  to  the  utmost  de- 
gree, and  vigorous  in  almost  every  soil,  it  is  certainly  the 
perfection  of  plants  for  a  screen.  These  clumps  and  belts 
may  by  a  judicious  planting  create  quite  a  pleasing  effect, 
and  instead  of  appearing  as  a  work  of  art,  as  when  planted 
in  a  formal  line  or  avenue,  they  may  be  placed  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  preserve  a  graceful,  easy,  flowing  outline. 

For  enclosures  or  divisions  to  ornamental  grounds  where 
animals  are  excluded,  it  forms  a  beautiful  hedge,  bearing 
the  shears  with  impunity,  becoming  very  dense,  and  re- 
taining that  peculiar  dark  green  color  so  universally  ad- 
mired. We  are  now  experimenting  with  almost  every 
plant  that  is  at  all  available  for  this  purpose,  and  on  a 
short  trial  are  decidedly  of  the  opinion  that  the  Norway 
Spruce  will  prove  the  most  useful,  especially  where  a  large 
sheltering  hedge  or  screen  is  required. 

The  timber  furnished  by  this  species  is  quite  valuable, 
and  plantations  in  many  parts  of  Europe  are  annually  be- 
ing formed  for  growing  it.  The  wood  is  almost  devoid 
of  resin,  light,  white,  and  quite  elastic.  It  is  termed 
White  Deal,  and  is  used  in  many  portions  of  Europe  as 
the  White  Pine  is  with  us.  The  bark  is  also  valuable  for 
tanning,  and  the  resin  that  exudes  from  under  the  bark  is 
consumed  for  common  purposes. 


164  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEKGKEEXS. 

Like  the  majority  of  our  well-known  and  very  popular 
plants,  this  species  has  a  large  number  of  varieties.  Some 
of  these  are  very  distinct  and  desirable  for  creating  effects 
in  gardening,  whilst  others  approach  so  near  the  true  form 
of  the  species  as  to  be  unworthy  of  recording.  Loudon 
names  some  10  or  12  varieties  which  differ  only  in  their 
manner  of  growth  and  color.  As  every  year  adds  to  the 
number  of  these  foreign  varieties,  or  rather  chance  kinds, 
the  greater  will  be  the  drain  on  the  finances  of  our  own 
cultivators;  we  would  therefore  guard  our  readers 
against  placing  too  much  dependence  upon  the  glowing 
descriptions  which  frequently  herald  them,  as  they  are  very 
frequently  propagated  for  the  sole  purpose  of  increasing 
the  list  of  names  in  catalogues,  without  any  distinction  to 
justify  such  a  course. 

Var.  (  arpatica.  London. — Is  not  recognized  as  distinct 
from  the  species  by  Gordon,  but  Loudon  says  that  its 
lea\?es  are  long  and  very  dense,  and  that  it  has  very 
vigorous  shoots. 

Var.  Clanbrasiliana,  London. — Is  a  very  small  and 
compact  growing  bush  originating  in  Ireland,  and  intro- 
duced into  this  country  some  years  ago.  It  is  quite  pretty. 

Var.  denudata,  Hort. — Syn.  A.  e.  virgata,  Jacques. — A 
very  curious  French  variety,  somewhat  resembling  var. 
monstrosa,  but  with  more  twiggy,  reflexed,  and  spreading 
branches,  and  with  the  leaves  stouter  and  more  appressed. 

Var,  elegans,  London. — Another  of  the  pretty  little 
dwarfs,  with  very  slender  and  light  green  foliage.  It  is 
also  quite  compact  in  growth  and  desirable. 

Var.  crcmita,  Jfiiight. — Syn.  A.  e.  miniata,  ^Knight. — 
According  to  Gordon,  this  "  nearly  approaches  A.  e.  mon- 
strosa,  but  is  much  less  branching,  and  with  the  bark 
generally  of  a  much  redder  color." 

Var,  Finedonensis,  Paul. — A  new  kind,  of  which  Gor- 
don says :  "  A  striking  variety  of  the  Common  Spruce, 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  165 

with  all  the  younger  leaves  on  the  upper  side  of  the  shoots 
at  first  of  a  pale  yellow  or  straw  color,  as  well  as  the 
young  wood,  but  afterwards,  as  they  get  older,  they  change 
to  a  bronzy-brown,  and  finally,  when  fully  matured,  be- 
come light  green ;  while  those  leaves  on  the  under  side 
of  the  shoots  and  fully  shaded  branchlets  are  more  or  less 
green  from  the  first." 

Var,  Gregoryana,  Paul. — A  very  neat  little  dwarf  from 
Cirencester  Nursery  in  Gloucestershire,  of  an  exceedingly 
dense  habit  of  growth,  and  furnished  with  very  numerous 
small,  sharp,  stiff  leaves. 

Var,  invcrta,  Smith. — The  curiously  inverted  branches 
of  this  variety  are  quite  distinct  from  those  of  the  var. 
pendula.  All  the  branches  are  remarkably  drooping  in 
their  habit,  and  the  leaves  are  larger  and  brighter  than 
those  of  the  species. 

Var.  mucronata,  London. — Is  a  French  discovery  and 
another  dwarf  kind,  with  short,  thick,  dark  green  leaves, 
and  crowded,  irregular  branches.  It  is  said  to  be  very 
distinct. 

Var,  monstrosa,  London. — Is  extremely  curious,  having 
heavy,  straggling  branches,  and  is  said  to  resemble  the 
Araucaria  imbricata  in  appearance. 

Var,  nigra,  London. — Syn.  A.  gigantea,  Smith. — A. 
Lemoniana,  Sooth. — Has  larger  cones  and  darker  foliage 
than  the  species ;  otherwise  closely  resembling  it. 

Var.  pendula,  London. — The  leaves  of  this  variety  are 
longer  than  those  of  the  species,  and  of  a  dark  glossy- 
green  color.  The  branches  and  branchlets  droop  quite 
gracefully.  This  is  one  of  the  most  desirable. 

Var,  pyramidalis,  Hort. — The  branches  of  this  French 
variety  differ  from  those  of  the  species  in  being  remarka- 
bly fastigiate  and  of  very  compact  growth. 

Var,  pygmaea,  London.—  Which  is  known  under  the 


166  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

several  names  of  nana,  minima^  pumila,  and  minuta, 
grows  only  about  12  or  18  inches  high,  and  spreads  some 
distance  over  the  ground.  It  is  very  curious  and  dwarf. 

Var.  Stricta,  London. — Syn.  A.  Clanbrasiliana  stricta, 
Lawson. — A.  excel sa  conica,  Ketdeer. — A.  communis  fru- 
ticosa,  Endlicher. — Another  pretty  little  dwarf  variety 
rarely  exceeding  from  3  to  4  feet  in  height,  with  numerous, 
erect  branches,  and  small,  closely  compressed,  slender, 
bright  green  leaves.  Quite  desirable. 

Var.  tcnuifolia;  London. — Is  also  known  as  var.  attenu- 
ata,  and  var.  microphyUa,  by  different  authors.  It  is 
chiefly  distinguished  by  its  attenuated  branches  and  small, 
slender  foliage. 

Var.  variegata,  Loudon.—Is  of  very  little  account ;  a 
few  of  the  leaves  and  lesser  branches  spotted  with  yellow 
and  white. 

3.  A.  Meiizicsii,  Douglas. — MENZIES'  SPRUCE. — Leaves, 
f  of  an  inch  long,  broadly  linear,  rigid,  stout,  sharply 
acute,  incurved,  light  green  above,  silvery-glaucous  below. 
(Leaves  stouter  than  in  any  other  allied  species,  stiff,  and 
very  acute,  almost  spinescent.  Engelmann.)  Branches, 
tubercled,  with  resinous,  ovate,  acute  buds.  Cones,  from 
3  to  4J-  inches  long,  cylindrical,  pendulous,  very  numerous, 
crowded ;  with  elongated-rhombic  scales,  truncate,  irregu- 
lar on  the  margin;  bracteoles,  small,  lanceolate,  acute. 
Seeds,  small,  flat,  light  brown,  with  triangular-obovate 
wings. 

This  beautiful  Conifer  was  discovered  by  Douglas  in 
Northern  California,  where  it  is  quite  abundant  in  many 
sections,  but  principally  in  rich,  moist  soils.  Nuttall 
speaks  of  it  as  "  constituting  the  principal  part  of  the  lofty 
and  dark  forest  which  caps  the  summit  of  Cape  Disap- 
pointment, at  the  entrance  of  the  Columbia  or  Oregon." 
It  is  also  found  plentiful  on  the  Island  of  Sitka,  and  in 
the  Shasta  Country."  Dr.  Engelmann  says  it  "is  entirely 
sub-alpine,  occurring  between  the  limits  of  7,000  and  9,000 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  167 

feet  in  low,  moist,  or  marshy  soils,  especially  on  the  bor- 
ders of  streams." 

The  general  height  of  this  species  is  about  60  or  70  feet, 
but  in  the  rich,  deep,  alluvial  soils  along  the  rivers,  speci- 
mens 100  feet  in  height  have  been  found. 

In  our  grounds  the  Menzies'  Spruce  has  proven  entirely 
hardy  without  artificial  protection,  and  so  far  as  we  have 
been  able  to  ascertain,  such  has  also  been  the  experience 
of  other  cultivators  in  the  Middle  States.  Indeed,  coming 
from  so  high  an  elevation  and  from  such  exposed  situa- 
tions, we  might  readily  believe  that  such  would  be  the 
case. 

Sargent,  however,  in  his  description  of  this  tree,  men- 
tions that  the  foliage  is  occasionally  scorched  on  specimens 
in  his  grounds,  from  which  it  would  appear  that  young 
plants  would  thrive  much  better  in  the  shade  in  more 
northern  localities,  as  the  sudden  changes  from  heat  to  ex- 
cessive cold  are  the  cause  of  this  destruction  of  the  foliage. 

There  is  an  inclination  on  the  part  of  the  leaves  to  be 
deciduous,  and  during  heavy  storms,  or  when  in  contact 
with  other  trees,  the  foliage  is  often  completely  removed 
from  the  young  shoots,  thus  greatly  disfiguring  the  tree. 
This  interferes  with  its  otherwise  beautiful  form,  and  can 
only  be  prevented  by  placing  it  singly  on  a  lawn,  and 
never  allowing  anything  to  rub  against  the  foliage. 

This  dropping  of  the  leaves  is  more  prevalent  in  trees 
that  are  growing  in  dry,  sandy  soils,  showing  that  the 
most  suitable  position  for  it  is  in  rather  moist  situations, 
especially  near  the  bank  of  a  stream  where  the  air  is  charg- 
ed with  moisture. 

Its  growth  is  exceedingly  rapid  in  soils  that  are  suited 
to  it;  and  T.  Meehan  mentions  a  tree  of  this  species  that 
was  planted  6  years  ago,  then  3  feet  high,  that  is  now  15, 
with  a  perfectly  straight  leader  and  as  fine  a  conical  shape 
as  could  be  desired. 

We  make  the  following  extracts  from  the  description 


168  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

of  this  tree  by  J.  Jay  Smith,  Esq. :  "  Menzies'  Spruce  ap- 
pears to  thrive  best  in  situations  where  the  soil  is  moist 
for  the  greater  part  of  the  year ;  in  low  bottoms,  not  ab- 
solutely flooded,  with  a  moist  atmosphere,  it  grows  ex- 
tremely fast. 

"  It  is  likewise  found  to  thrive  well  in  Scotland,  and  of 
course  in  our  northern  and  central  regions ;  on  the  most 
exposed  moors  it  never  suffers,  but,  on  the  contrary,  the 
peaty  soil  and  humid  atmosphere  appear  favorable  to  its 
growth.  On  dry  soils  it  frequently  loses  a  portion  of  its 
leaves  during  the  dry  weather,  and  this  gives  it  a  shabby 
appearance  and  has  led  some  to  condemn  it.  In  such  situ- 
ations it  should  be  liberally  supplied  with  water  during 
the  growing  season." 

The  general  form  of  the  tree  is  a  perfect  cone  with  a 
straight  leading  shoot,  and  mostly  a  very  compact  and 
well  regulated  head ;  this  is  somewhat  stiff  and  formal  in 
outline,  somewhat  of  the  character  of  'the  "White  Spruce. 
The  foliage  is  of  that  peculiar  commingling  of  green  and 
silver  so  admired  in  the  glaucous-leaved  evergreens.  The 
cones  are  particularly  conspicuous,  being  very  numerous, 
crowded,  and  when  young,  almost  white  in  appearance. 

In  propagating  the  A.  Menziesii,  the  stock  of  young 
plants  may  very  readily  and  rapidly  be  increased  by  means 
of  "  heeled  cuttings,"  that  is,  young  branchlets  taken  off 
with  a  small  portion  of  the  older  wood  attached.  As  a 
general  rule  the  species  of  Abies  will  all  root  more  or  less 
easily,  the  Firs  with  some  difficulty,  and  the  Pines  very 
rarely,  excepting  in  the  hands  of  skillful  gardeners. 

Douglas  states  that  the  timber  furnished  by  this  species 
is  of  excellent  quality,  and  Dr.  Parry  found  it  "  a  finely 
shaped  tree,  though  of  rather  stiff  outline,  of  rapid  growth ; 
wood  very  compact,  but  rather  coarse-grained  and  pitchy ; 
the  logs  taper  too  rapidly  to  saw  up  to  advantage." 

Var.  crispa,  Antoine. — Mentioned  by  Gordon  as  differ- 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  169 

ing  only  from  the  species  in  having  the  margins  of  the 
scales  on  the  cones  more  undulated,  or  somewhat  jagged, 
and  more  extended. 

4.  A.  nigra,  Poiret. — BLACK  OR  DOUBLE  SPRUCE. — 
Leaves,  very  short,  scarcely  exceeding  ^  of  an  inch  long, 
erect,  stiff,  somewhat  quadrangular,  very  dark  green  color. 
Branches,  spreading  horizontally,  with  a  smooth,  dark 
bark.  Cones,  from  1  to  1|-  inches  long,  ovate,  or  ovate- 
oblong,  changing  from  a  dark  purple  to  dull  reddish-brown 
color;  scales,  very  thin,  roundish,  with  a  toothed  and 
uneven  margin.  Seeds  quite  small,  with  a  small,  rigid 
wing. 

The  Double  Spruce  is  found  in  the  same  localities  as  the 
Single  Spruce,  and  in  most  situations  more  plentifully ;  ac- 
cording to  Gray,  in  swamps  and  cold  mountain  woods, 
New  England  to  Wisconsin  and  northward,  and  south- 
ward along  the  mountains.  It  is  also  occasionally  seen 
further  south  than  the  latter  species,  especially  along  the 
Alleghanies.  In  the  Canadas,  Nova  Scotia,  New  Bruns- 
wick, and  even  further  north,  it  is  quite  abundant,  and  re- 
sists the  severe  Arctic  winters  in  those  latitudes.  Indeed 
in  our  more  southern  climates  this,  tree  rarely  ever  forms 
so  fine  a  specimen  as  when  growing  in  its  native  habitats, 
with  their  cold,  chilling  winds  and  short  summer  seasons. 

In  favorable  situations  the  Black  Spruce  forms  quite  a 
large  tree,  about  75  feet  in  height,  with  a  tall,  straight, 
tapering  trunk,  and  a  very  handsome,  regular,  conical- 
shaped  head.  In  the*  deep,  rich,  alluvial  soils,  the  finest 
specimens  are  to  be  found,  and  in  such  an  isolated  plant 
presents  a  very  agreeable  sight ;  but  when  growing  in 
compact  masses  as  they  quite  frequently  do,  leaving  only 
3,  4,  or  5  feet  space  between  the  trunks,  they  run  up  to  a 
great  height  and  are  destitute  of  branches,  excepting  a 
small,  dense  head  upon  the  summit. 

As  an  ornamental  tree  we  cannot  recommend  it,  although 
the  young  plants  are  occasionally  quite  beautiful ;  but  after 
8 


170  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

obtaining  some  age,  the  trees  generally  present  a  rather 
sickly  and  open  appearance,  which  is  the  reverse  of  orna- 
mental. On  particularly  favorable  soils  we  have  seen  very 
good  specimens,  but  they  are  so  rare  that  it  is  unwise  to 
expect  perfection ;  and  especially  is  this  the  case  on  thin, 
gravelly  soils. 

'The  timber  of  this  species  is  valuable  for  many  pur- 
poses, the  body  of  the  tree  furnishing  long,  straight  logs, 
and  the  wood  is  light,  very  elastic,  and  strong.  As  fuel, 
however,  it  is  quite  inferior,  owing  to  the  quantity  of  air 
contained  in  it,  which  causes  a  continual  snapping,  such 
as  is  usually  observed  in  burning  chestnut.  The  celebrat- 
ed Spruce-beer  is  made  from  an  infusion  of  the  young 
branchlets  of  this  tree,  and  furnishes  a  popular  drink. 

VaFi  r libra. $  Michaux. — RED  SPRUCE. — Syn.  A.  rubra, 
Poiret. — We  do  not  think  this  sufficiently  distinct  to  form 
a  separate  species.  Michaux  first  examined  it  thoroughly, 
and  classed  it  as  a  variety  of  A.  nigra  ;  and  Loudon  re- 
marks: "As  the  variety  appears  tolerably  distinct  in 
British  gardens,  as  far  as  respects  the  color  of  the  cones, 
we  have,  for  convenience'  sake,  given  it  as  a  species ;  though 
we  entirely  agree  with  Michaux  in  thinking  it  only  a  va- 
riety." 

Although  Poiret,  Lambert,  Pursh,  and  others,  have  de- 
scribed it  as  a  true  species,  they  appear  to  have  no  founda- 
tion for  their  claims,  excepting  in  its  larger  and  redder 
cones  and  reddish-brown  bark.  However  this  may  be, 
the  Black  and  Red  Spruces  are  found  growing  in  the  same 
localities,  are  equally  valuable  for  timber,  and  in  all  char- 
acteristics excepting  those  mentioned  are  precisely  alike. 

Var.  puinila,  ICnight. — Is  a  dwarf,  stunted  bush,  only 
3  or  4  feet  in  height,  and  forms  a  dense  little  plant  with 
quite  slender  foliage.  Not  yet  found  in  our  collections. 

5,  A.  obovata,  Loudon. — OBOVATE-CONED  SPRUCE. — 
Syn.  A.  Wittrnanniana,  Harticess  ;  A.  Ajanensis,  and  A. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  171 

Schrenkiana,  Lindley,  etc.,  etc. — Leaves,  from  f  to  1  inch 
long,  thickly  scattered,  slender,  straight,  sharply  acute, 
bright  green  color.  Branches  and  branchlets  quite  nu- 
merous, whorled,  rigid,  spreading,  with  numerous  very 
small,  dark  colored  buds.  Cones,  from  2  to  2J-  inches 
long,  obovate,  with  loose,  entire,  wedge-shaped  scales. 

This  species  very  closely  resembles  the  A..  Orientalis, 
and  by  some  modern  botanists  is  thought  to  be  identical 
with  it.  Gordon  contends,  however,  that  it  is  very  dis- 
tinct from  the  latter,  and  in  the  absence  of  sufficient  per- 
sonal knowledge  we  have  adopted  his  views. 

The  Obovate-coned  Spruce  also  resembles  the  Norway 
Spruce  in  its  general  characteristics,  but  is  much  more 
dense  and  compact  in  growth  than  the  latter,  being  sup- 
plied with  an  almost  innumerable  quantity  of  small 
branchlets,  thus  imparting  a  certain  beauty  to  the  tree 
that  is  scarcely  ever  found  in  the  latter  species.  The 
color  of  the  leaves  of  the  A.  obovata  is  said  to  be  usually 
of  a  paler  green,  amounting  in  some  instances  to  a  yellow- 
ish-green, but  such  specimens  as  have  come  under  the 
writer's  observation  have  been  uniformly  very  dark. 

This  species  is  found  most  plentifully  on  the  Altai 
Mountains  in  Siberia,  at  elevations  varying  from  4,000  to 
5,000  feet,  and  is  consequently  hardy  throughout  the 
Northern  States.  Its  greatest  height  is  perhaps  100  feet, 
but  according  to  some  writers  it  diminishes  in  stature  and 
foliage,  according  to  soil,  situation,  and  elevation,  and  like 
all  other  coniferous  trees  from  northern  regions  is  subject 
to  great  variation  in  appearance.  . 

Having  tested  this  species  for  several  years  without  pro- 
tection, and  proven  it  to  be  entirely  hardy  and  perfectly 
adapted  to  a  variety  of  soils,  we  feel  no  hesitation  in  rec- 
ommending it  to  those  who  have  a  large  collection  ;  but 
for  small  plantations  we  are  under  the  impression  it  will 
never  be  popular,  owing  to  its  close  resemblance  in  many 
respects  to  our  favorite  Norway  Spruce;  however,  at  a 


172  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

more  advanced  age,  this  may  be  counterbalanced  by  its 
close,  compact  habit  and  unique  appearance. 

6i  A.  orientalis,  Poiret. — EASTERN  SPRUCE. — Leaves,  % 
of  an  inch  long,  tetragonal,  rigid,  stout,  rather  obtuse,  dark 
shining  green  color.  Branches  like  the  foregoing  species, 
numerous,  and  slender.  Cones,  2|-  to  3  inches  long,  cylin- 
drical ;  with  the  scales  soft,  thin,  loose,  rounded,  and  un- 
even on  the  margins.  Seeds,  very  small  and  resinous. 

A  native  of  the  coast  of  the  Black  Sea,  and  is  found 
growing  on  the  Mountains  of  Imeretia,  in  Upper  Mingre- 
lia,  and  the  neighborhood  of  Teflis,  forming  whole  forests 
between  Gunil  and  the  Adshar  Mountains.  Tournefort 
says  he  found  it  growing  in  the  vicinity  of  Trebisonde, 
where  it  is  known  by  the  name  of  " elate" 

As  stated  in  our  description  of  the  preceding  species, 
many  writers  considered  that  synonymous  with  the  pres- 
ent tree ;  so  L.  Deslongchamps  classed  A.  Orientalis  as  a 
variety  of  A.  alba,  and  Loudon,  as  a  variety  of  A.  excelsa. 

It  is  about  75  feet  high,  of  a  regular,  conical  form, 
and  in  specimens  standing  apart  from  others  furnished 
with  branches  to  the  ground. 

It  is  so  thick  and  close  as  to  be  considered  a  perfect 
model  of  the  compact  class  of  Conifers,  and  on  this  ac- 
count may  be  recommended  for  cultivation.  Our  speci- 
men has  been  out  for  several  years,  and  is  equally  hardy 
as  the  Norway  Spruce,  but  exceedingly  like  the  A.  obo- 
vata  in  many  leading  characteristics. 

The  timber  furnished  by  this  species  resembles  that  of 
the  foregoing. 

7.  A.  Pattoniana,  Jeffrey. — PATTON'S  GIANT  SPRUCE.— 
Leaves,  f-  of  an  inch  long,  numerous,  thinly  scattered, 
curved,  triangular,  light  green  color,  and  glaucous  be- 
neath. Branches,  numerous,  slender,  somewhat  drooping, 
and  covered  with  a  dark,  rough  bark,  and  woolly  pubes- 
cence. Cones,  1  inch  long,  cylindrical  or  oblong,  crowded, 


THE  PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  173 

smooth,  with  numerous,  mostly  entire,  and  loosely  imbri- 
cated scales.     Seeds,  quite  small. 

A  magnificent  species  from  Upper  California  and  north- 
ward. It  was  first  discovered  by  Lewis  and  Clarke,  and 
was  afterward  found  by  Jeffrey  in  Northern  California, 
and  named  by  him  "  in  compliment  to  Mr.  Patton  of  the 
Cairnies,  in  Scotland,  a  gentleman  much  interested  in 
Conifers." 

The  size  of  this  gigantic  species  varies  considerably  in 
the  different  localities  where  it  is  found,  but  the  greatest 
heights  mentioned  by  the  discoverers  appear  almost  in- 
credible. Those  described  by  Lewis  and  Clarke  were  fre- 
quently 300  feet  in  height,  and  without  any  branches  on 
the  stem  for  more  than  200  feet,  with  a  circumference  of 
42  feet  at  a  point  beyond  the  reach  of  an  ordinary-sized 
man. 

Jeffrey  says :  "  It  is  a  noble  tree,  rising  to  the  height  of 
150  feet  and  13^  feet  in  circumference,  and  towering  above 
the  rest  of  the  forest ;  but  as  it  ascends  the  mountain,  it 
gets  gradually  smaller,  until  at  last  it  dwindles  down  into 
a  shrub  not  more  than  4  feet  high." 

We  have  not  yet  tested  this  new  and  rare  Conifer  in  the 
open  air,  but  as  it  comes  from  a  high  elevation  (from  5,000 
to  6,000  feet)  and  a  section  of  country  that  produces  other 
trees  that  are  hardy  with  us,  we  feel  sanguine  it  will  be 
successful  here.  In  England  it  is  entirely  hardy  and  much 
admired,  but  its  great  scarcity,  and  the  consequent  high 
price  at  which  the  young  plants  are  held,  will  be  a  serious 
obstacle  to  its  general  trial  in  our  country. 

8t  A.  Siuil  !ii;ina,  London. — HIMALAYAN  SPRUCE. — Syn. 
A.  Morinda,  Hort.;  A.  Khutrow,  London,  with  numerous 
others  under  Pinm,  Picea,  etc. — Leaves,  1,  1£,  and  2 
inches  long,  spreading,  tetragonal,  straight,  rigid,  very 
sharply  acute,  pale  green  color,  slightly  glaucous  beneath. 
Branches  and  branchlets,  numerous,  horizontal,  and  droop- 
ing, with  light  colored  bark;  the  branchlets  remotely 


174  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

verticillate.  Cones,  from  6  to  7  inches  long,  ovate-oblong ; 
scales,  light  brown,  oblong,  entire,  smooth,  loosely  imbri- 
cated, and  enclosing  small,  dark  brown  seeds,  with  yellow, 
thin,  membranaceous  wings. 

This  remarkably  Beautiful  tree,  although  thoroughly 
tested  for  several  years,  does  not,  as  far  north  as  Philadel- 
phia, yet  give  that  satisfaction  which  many  were  at  first 
led  to  expect.  Specimens  on  dry,  gravelly  subsoils  succeed 
very  well,  but  where  the  soil  is  retentive  of  moisture,  the 
leading  shoot  is  almost  invariably  killed. 

It  is  a  native  of  Bhotan,  China,  Japan,  etc.,  generally 
frequenting  the  mountain  districts,  and  forming  even  on 
very  high  elevations  magnificent  specimens  not  unlike  the 
Norway  Spruce  in  shape  and  character,  but  more  graceful 
in  growth  and  delicate  in  color.  On  the  Himalayas,  at 
elevations  varying  from  7,000  to  12,000  feet,  it  forms  a 
tree  of  from  100  to  150  feet  in  height,  and  from  18  to  20 
feet  in  circumference.  Capt.  Hodgson  measured  the  trunk 
of  one  that  was  169  feet  in  length. 

Ko  one  should  attempt  to  introduce  this  tree  unless  ev- 
ery care  and  attention  can  be  bestowed  upon  it  after 
planting,  having  first  selected  a  congenial  spot.  The 
Himalayan  Spruce  is  almost  invariably  found  on  the  north- 
ern declivities  of  the  mountains  in  its  native  country,  and 
therefore  requires  either  a  partially  shaded  aspect  or  a 
northern  exposure.  In  the  latter  case,  if  a  belt  of  ev- 
ergreens or  other  protection  be  afforded  it,  fine  specimens 
may  be  obtained,  but  as  it  belongs  to  that  class  of  uncer- 
tain trees  neither  tender  nor  yet  entirely  hardy,  care  is  ab- 
solutely necessary  to  induce  it  to  thrive  properly. 

We  know  of  no  tree  whatever  that  is  more  luxuriant 
and  beautiful  in  a  proper  situation,  or,  on  the  other  hand, 
a  more  dejected  looking,  pitiable  sight  in  an  improper 
one,  than  the  A.  Smithiana. 

Having  experimented  with  this  species  for  a  number  of 
years  in  several  situations,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  when 


THE   PESTE   SUB-FAMILY. 


175 


176  THE  BOOK   OP  EVEKGBEENS. 

the  foregoing  directions  are  adhered  to,  it  may  be  success- 
ful as  far  north  as  this  locality,  (Philadelphia,)  especially 
after  a  few  years'  acclimation.  A  slight  protection  of 
evergreen  boughs,  tied  quite  loosely  over  it  through  the 
winter,  is  all  that  it  requires ;  or,  in  the  case  of  very  young 
plants,  these  boughs  may  be  continued  on  through  the 
summer,  care  being  taken  in  the  latter  instance  to  admit 
plenty  of  air  and  light. 

The  absolute  requirements  of  this  tree  are  a  dry,  grav- 
elly subsoil,  a  partially  shaded  situation,  and  a  protective 
barrier  from  the  cold  winds. 

The  inhabitants  of  those  countries  where  it  is  found  in 
a  wild  state  have  given  it  the  rather  uninviting  names  of 
"  Tiger's  Tail,"  and  "  Prickly  Fir."  This  species  furnishes 
poor  timber,  it  being  very  perishable  and  soft,  although 
quite  free  from  knots. 


NEW    SPECIES    OF    ABIES. 

9.  A.  Alcocquiana9  Lindley  and  'VeitcTi. — Leaves,  from 
£  to  f  of  an  inch  in  length,  and  from  %  to  f  of  a  line  in 
breadth,  numerous,  closely  approximated,  spirally  arranged 
around  the  branches,  solitary,  linear,  sub-tetragonal,  flat- 
tish,  recurved,  obtusely  rounded  at  the  apex.  Cones,  from 
2  to  3  inches  long,  1  inch  in  diameter,  pendent,  reddish- 
fawn  color,  with  very  persistent  scales,  that  are  cuneate 
near  the  base  and  rounded  at  the  apex ;  bracts,  obsolete. 
Seeds,  rhomboidal,  partly  downy,  with  a  long,  narrow, 
cinnamon-colored  wing. 

This  splendid  tree  reaches  the  height  of  from  100  to  120 
feet,  and  was  discovered  by  the  English  collector,  J.  G. 
Veitch,  in  the  year  1860,  on  the  mountain  of  "  Fusi  Yama," 
growing  at  an  elevation  of  from  6,000  to  7,000  feet.  The 
branchlets  are  very  rough,  with  protuberances  having  the 
appearance  of  small  pegs  projecting  out  on  all  sides.  The 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY. 


177 


color  of  the  young  branchlets  is  pale  fawn,  and  of  the  older 
ones,  reddish. 

We  do  not  think  this  species  has  been  introduced  into 
this  country,  but  from  the  representations  of  the  discover- 
er, we  should  be  pleased  to  hear  of  its  success  with  us. 
Gordon  places  it  in  the  Tsugas,  on  account  of  the  rather 
flattish  leaves ;  but  we  prefer  to  follow  the  example  of 
Murray,  and  include  it  in  the  list  of  true  Spruces,  from 
the  fact  of  its  leaves  being  spirally  arranged  all  around  the 
branches  and  not  in  two  rows. 

> 

10.  A.  Engelmanni,  Parry. — ENGELMANN'S  SPBUCE. — 
Syn.  Picea  Engelmanni,  Engdmann  ;  Abies  nigra,  in  Sill. 
Jour. — Leaves,  in  the  higher  localities,  6  to  9  lines  long, 
and  not  quite  1  line  broad,  strongly 
carinate  below,  less  so  above,  with 
a  few  lines  of  white  stomata  above 
and  below,  abruptly  but  not  sharp- 
ly acute;  in  lower  localities  the 
leaves  are  more  slender,  and  8  to  , 
12  lines  long.  Male  aments,  6  to  9 
lines  long,  on  short  stipes ;  anthers, 
1 J-  lines  long ;  female  aments,  9  to 
10  lines  long,  with  ovate,  lanceolate 
scales,  almost  equalling  in  length 
the  dark  purple,  fleshy  scales. 
Branches,  mostly  small,  lower  ones 
horizontal,  upper  ones,  ascending, 
with  scaly,  reddish,  grayish-purple, 
or  light  purplish-brown  bark,  con- 
taining much  tannin.  Cones,  1^  to 
2J  (usually  less  than  2)  inches 
long,  f  of  an  inch  or  less  in  di- 
ameter when  closed,  ovate-cylin- 
drical, scattered  on  the  tree,  not  abundant,  becoming  red- 
dish-brown with  age ;  scales,  rhombic,  with  truncated 
ends  in  good  specimens,  but  shorter,  more  rounded,  and 
with  the  truncation  indistinct,  in  poor  ones.  Seeds,  1  line 
long.  Cotyledons,  6,  rarely  5.  (Extracted  from  Engel- 
mann's  description.) 


Fig.  22. — ABIES  ENGEL- 
MANNI. 


17o  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

According  to  Dr.  Engelmann,  in  the  "  Transactions  of 
the  St.  Louis  Acad.  of  Science,"  this  fine  new  Conifer  is 
found  on  the  "  higher  parts  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  from 
New  Mexico  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Columbia  and 
Missouri  Rivers,  and  probably  further ;  from  the  sub-alpine 
to  the  alpine  districts,  and  with  Pinus  aristata  reaching 
the  highest  limits  of  timber,  occupying  in  Colorado  a  belt 
between  the  limits  of  8,000  and  12,000  feet.  It  reaches  its 
fullest  development  between  9,000  and  10,000  feet,  near  the 
head  waters  of  the  streams  on  both  slopes  of  the  Snowy 
range,  constituting  magnificent  forests  about  the  head 
of  Middle  Park,  at  Tarry-all,  etc.,  often  mixed  with  Abies 
grandis" 

The  same  author  thus  speaks  of  its  size:  "In  its  most 
favorable  localities  this  species  makes  a  stately  tree  60  to 
100  feet  high,  forming  a  narrow,  sharply  tapering  spire  of 
a  rather  darkish  hue ;  trunk  perfectly  straight,  columnar, 
tapering  very  gradually,  1-J-  to  2^  feet  in  diameter,  branches 
mostly  small,  lower  ones  horizontal,  upper  ones  ascending ; 
on  higher  altitudes  it  is  a  smaller,  nearly  round-topped 
tree,  very  much  branched,  bearing  more  perfect  fruit  than 
in  either  lower  or  higher  elevations ;  on  the  highest  sum- 
mits a  prostrate  and  almost  creeping  sterile  shrub,  just  as 
Picea  nigra  is  found  on  Mt.  Washington,  N".  H." 

This  species  was  at  first  taken  for  a  form  of  the  A.  nigra, 
by  its  discoverer,  Dr.  Parry,  but  upon  subsequent  examina- 
tion it  has  proved  to  be  a  new  species.  We  have  raised 
young  plants  from  the  seed  furnished  us  by  the  discoverer, 
and  will  soon  be  able  to  settle  the  question  of  its  hardiness 
with  us. 

Dr.  Engelmann  says  "  the  wood  is  soft,  white,  not  knotty 
or  resinous,  therefore  much  esteemed  for  inside  and 
cabinet  work." 

11.  A,  firm  a,  Siebold  <£  ZuccarinL — Syn.  Abies  Momi, 
Siebold  m  Verhand.;  Pinus  firma,  Antoine  <&  Endlicher  j 


THE  PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  179 


sp 

' 


Picea  firma,  Gordon  ;  Abies  homolepis,  Siebold  & 
rini  /  Pinus  homolepis,  Antoine  db  Endlicher  /  Abies 
bifida,  Siebold  &  Zuccarini.  —  Leaves,  from  %  to  1  inch  in 
length,  very  closely  approximated,  growing  all  around  the 
shoot,  but  expanded  in  a  two-rowed  manner,  slightly  atten- 
uated at  the  base  into  a  very  short  petiole,  slightly 
twisted,  linear,  bifid  at  first,  glabrous  and  dark  above, 
somewhat  silvery  below.  Cones,  3  to  4j-  inches  long,  from 
1  to  H  inch  in  diameter,  pendent,  short-peduncled^  thick, 
deflexed,  straight,  cylindrical,  with  persistent,  imbricated, 
downy,  leathery,  crenulated,  dark  brown  scales  ;  bracts, 
long,  lanceolate,  or  sub-rhomboidal,  sharp  and  keeled. 
Seeds,  wedge-shaped  at  the  base,  with  broad,  transverse 
wings,  and  a  membranaceous  shell.  Cotyledons,  4  to  5. 

We  copy  from  Murray  the  following  history  of  this  new 
Spruce  :  "  This  species  is  found  from  the  south  of  Kinsu, 
by  Sikok  and  Nippon,  to  the  Kurile  Islands,  and  may  thus 
be  assumed  to  extend  over  the  whole  of  the  empire  of 
Japan.  It  grows  at  an  elevation  of  from  2,000  to  4,000 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  Siebold  informs  us  that 
at  its  southernmost  limits  it  is  probably  cultivated,  and 
not  wild,  except  in  humid  valleys  or  on  the  mountain 
Iwaga,  near  Nagasaki,  where  it  is  found  at  about  1,800 
feet  above  the  sea."  It  is  a  lofty  tree  with  somewhat  of 
the  habit  of  the  Common  Silver  Fir,  and,  judging  from  the 
climate  from  whence  it  comes,  we  may  anticipate  its  suc- 
cessful introduction  into  our  collections.  As  with  others 
of  the  Japanese  trees,  confusion  has  arisen  in  its  nomencla- 
ture, some  writers  affirming  that  A.  firma,  A.  bifida,  and 
A.  homolepis,  are  three  distinct  species.  Murray  affirms 
them  to  be  but  one,  and  suggests  that  the  diversity  may 
have  arisen  from  the  skill  of  the  Japanese  in  altering 
the  appearance  of  many  plants  in  a  manner  to  deceive  a 
careful  and  critical  botanist.  In  A.  bifida,  the  leaves  are 
bifid  at  the  apex,  but  Murray  states  that  this  is  frequent- 
ly the  case  with  young  plants  of  all  three  of  the  alleged 
species;  seeds  of  A.  bifida  frequently  producing  young 


180  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

plants  answering  the  description  of  A.  homolepis  in  the 
first  year,  and  having  leaves  bifid  during  the  second,  etc. 

12.  A.  JezocnsiS}  Siebold  &  Zuccarini. — Syn.  Pinus  Je- 
zoensis,  Antoine  &  Endlicher. — Leaves,  from    8  to  12 
lines  in  length,  very  persistent,  (for  seven  years),  spirally 
arranged,   alternate   but    not    distichous,   sessile,   linear, 
acerose,  acute,  and  terminating  in  a  spinous  point,  entire, 
obsoletely  4-sided,  bright  green  above.    (Mature  cones  not 
known.)       Female   aments,  solitary,  oblongo-cylindrical, 
sub-curvate;     bracts,    minute,   rhomboidally    spathul.ite, 
alternated  from  the  base,  acute  or  cuspidate,  somewhat 
crenulated,  appressed,  and  smaller  than  the  scale.  (Murray.) 

In  our  description  of  Abies  Fortunii  will  be  found  the 
characteristics  which  distinguish  that  species  from  this; 
and  as  the  two  had  been  generally  confounded  and  treat- 
ed as  the  same  until  Murray  separated  them  and  described 
the  leading  points  of  each,  we  take  pleasure  in  recording 
his  decision  here.  The  true  A.  Jezoensis  of  Siebold  and 
Zuccarini  forms  a  large  sized  tree,  and  produces  a  smooth, 
soft  timber,  which  is  useful  for  manufacturing  into  house- 
hold utensils  and  is  frequently  employed  for  arrows,  etc. 

"  This  tree,"  say  Siebold  and  Zuccarini,  "  which  grows 
wild  in  the  Islands  of  Jezo  and  Krafto,  is  cultivated  as  a 
rarity  in  the  gardens  of  the  wealthy,  at  Jeddo."  In  Sar- 
gent's edition  of  Downing's  Landscape  Gardening,  the 
author  says,  "  Our  specimens,  which  are  small,  seem  quite 
hardy,"  and  it  is  to  be  desired  that  they  may  prove  per- 
manently so  on  a  longer  trial.  This  is  the  JTezo-Matsu  of 
the  Japanese,  and  resembles  closely  A.  Menziesil. 

13.  A,  microsperma,  Lindley  &  Veitch. — Leaves,  from 
•J-  to  1J-  inch  in  length,  from  ^  to  f-  of  a  line  in  breadth, 
numerous,  closely  approximated,  solitary,  linear,  sub-te- 
tragonal.    Cones,  from  1 J  to  2^  inches  long,  from  %  to  f-  of 
an  inch  in  diameter,  pale  cinnamon  color,  with  very  per- 
sistent oblong  scales,  that  are  glabrous  when  exposed,  and 
tomentose  when  not ;  bracts,  small,  rounded  and  serrated. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  181 

Seeds,  very  small,  pale  cinnamon  colored,  with  a  small, 
oblong,  ovate  wing. 

Another  new  species  closely  allied  to  A.  Alcocquiana, 
and  found  growing  in  the  vicinity  of  Hakodadi,  on  the 
Island  of  Jesso.  The  only  specimens  seen  were  from  20 
to  30  feet  in  height,  but  exceedingly  beautiful;  perhaps 
one  of  the  finest  of  the  genus.  Its  ultimate  height  is  sup- 
posed to  be  about  40  or  50  feet,  with  very  rough,  pale 
branchlets,  and  longer  leaves  than  those  of  A.  Alcocquiana. 

14.  A.  polila.  Siebold  <&  Zuccarini. — Syn.  Pinus  Abies, 
Thuriberg ;  Abies  Torano,  Siebold  in  Verhandl.  ;  Pinus 
polita,  Antoine  &  JEndlicher  /  Picea  polita,  Oarriere. — 
Leaves,  from  6  to  10  lines  long,  very  persistent  (for  seven 
years),  spirally  alternate,  not  distichous,  sessile,  linear, 
rigid,  glabrous,  bright  green,  thick,  slightly  curved,  with 
a  somewhat  sharp  point,  entire,  tetragonal.  Cones,  from 
4  to  5  inches  long,  2  inches  in  diameter,  elliptical,  rounded 
at  both  ends,  solitary,  terminal,  with  obovate,  or  obovate- 
subrhomboidal,  irregularly  crenulated,  coriaceous,  glabrous, 
bright  chestnut-colored  scales ;  bracts,  minute,  linear-ob- 
tuse, entire,  coriaceous,  scarcely  equalling  in  length  the 
fourth  part  of  the  scale.  Seeds,  rather  small,  with  a  broad 
wing.  (Murray). 

According  to  Murray,  "  Siebold  informs  us  that  he  saw 
this  superb  Fir  for  the  first  time  during  his  journey  to 
Jeddo,  in  the  sacred  groves  around  the  temples  of  Miako. 
The  form  of  its  cones  and  the  entire  habit  of  the  tree 
forcibly  recalled  to  his  mind  the  Common  Spruce.  At 
Jeddo  he  received  branches  of  cultivated  specimens,  but 
he  thinks  it  should  be  found  wild  in  the  mountains  of  Ni- 
kao.  From  other  accounts  it  appears  that  it  forms  great 
forests  on  the  high  mountains  which  stretch  along  the 
frontiers  of  Dewa  and  Mutsu,  all  the  way  to  the  northern 
coast  of  Nippon,  and,  according  to  Japanese  reports,  it  is 
likewise  to  be  found  in  the  Kurile  Islands.  It  is  also  found 
wild  on  the  peninsula  of  Korai,  and  Siebold  obtained  a 


182  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

branch  of  a  specimen  introduced  from  thence  to  Japan  under 
the  name  of  Tojosen  Momi,  which  signifies  '  Fir  of  KoraL5 " 


§  2.— TSUGA.— THE    HEMLOCK    SPRUCES. 

The  Hemlock  Spruces  have  been  placed  by  Carriere  in 
a  separate  genus,  Tsuga.  The  chief  distinctions  upon 
which  his  separation  is  made  are  the  manner  in  which  the 
anther  cells  open,  which  is  transversely  instead  of  longitu- 
dinally, the  flat,  somewhat  two-ranked  leaves,  and  the  soli- 
tary, persistent,  and  drooping  cones.  It  is  more  convenient 
in  the  present  work,  as  well  as  more  in  accordance  with 
our  accepted  botanical  authorities,  to  make  both  Tsuga 
and  Picea  sections  of  Abies.  The  characters  by  which 
authors  distinguish  them  as  genera  are  employed  here 
for  sections,  or  sub-genera,  and  are  given  on  page  156. 
The  trees  of  this  section  are  all  of  remarkably  graceful 
habit,  and  their  foliage  presents  a  more  light  and  feathery 
appearance  than  that  of  either  the  Spruces  or  the  Firs. 
The  general  character  of  the  trees,  as  well  as  that  of  the 
wood,  is  well  represented  in  our  native  Hemlock  Spruce, 
Abies  CanadensiSj  which  may  be  taken  as  the  type  of 
this  sub-genus. 

15.  A.  Bnmoniaiia$^Wfey. — INDIAN  HEMLOCK  SPRUCE. 
— Syn.  A.  dumosa,  Lambert ;  A.  decidua,  Wallich  ;  A.  ce- 
droides,  Griffith  /  Tsuga  Brunoniana,  Carriere. — Leaves, 
mostly  1  inch  long,  straight,  linear,  flat,  obtuse,  deflexed 
on  the  margin,  obsoletely  denticulate  towards  the  apex, 
light  green  above,  and  very  silvery  glaucous  below. 
Branches  and  branchlets,  very  numerous,  drooping,  and 
slender.  Cones,  1  inch  long,  oval,  sessile  and  smooth; 
with  orbicular,  sessile,  persistent  scales,  and  emarginate, 
wedge-shaped,  very  short  bracteoles.  Seeds,  small, 
wedge-shaped,  ferruginous,  with  an  oblong,  obtuse,  shin- 
ing, membranaceous  wing. 


THE  PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  183 

A  very  handsome  and  graceful  tree  from  Sikkam,  Nepal, 
and  Bhotan,  where  it  attains  the  height  of  70  or  80  feet, 
and  is  found  in  the  former  locality  growing  at  an  elevation 
of  from  9,000  to  10,000  feet,  and  in  the  latter  from  6,500 
to  9,500  feet ;  but  although  it  is  a  native  of  such  high  al- 
titudes, and  is  quite  hardy  in  England,  its  success  in  this 
country  is  quite  indifferent. 

In  Sargent's  description,  he  says :  "  We  are  somewhat 
perplexed  in  making  up  our  mind  about  the  future 
condition  of  this  charming  tree  as  to  its  availability. 
If  it  succeed  at  all,  it  will  certainly  require  a  good  deal 
of  coaxing.  Our  own  specimen  has  been  very  various. 
It  has  stood  some  winters  well,  and  others,  not  as  cold 
but  possibly  damper,  seemed  to  have  destroyed  it."  This 
has  been  the  experience  with  almost  all  cultivators  of 
whom  we  have  inquired,  so  that  its  ultimate  success  is  ex- 
ceedingly doubtful ;  and  we  would  therefore  caution  any 
one  against  undertaking  its  culture  at  the  North,  unless  he 
would  be  willing  to  lose  a  few  plants  in  the  experiment. 
A  few  degrees  further  south  will,  we  have  no  doubt,  suit 
it.  The  Gardener's  Monthly  says  that  although  Gordon 
may  class  it  as  "  quite  hardy  and  thus  deceive  American 
readers,  it  will  be  killed  easily  by  10°  below  freezing 
point,  according  to  an  American-made  thermometer."  We 
believe  that,  with  proper  protection  and  suitable  soil,  it 
will  withstand  a  much  lower  temperature  than  the  above. 

The  Indian  Hemlock  very  much  resembles  the  Common 
Hemlock  (A.  Canadensis)  in  general  appearance,  but  in 
the  former  the  under  side  of  the  leaves  is  of  an  elegant 
silvery-white  color,  so  that,  when  disturbed  by  the  wind, 
they  create  a  curious  yet  beautiful  effect.  This  tree  is 
liable  to  the  same  disparagement  as  the  A.  Menziesii,  in 
regard  to  its  proneness  to  lose  its  leaves.  Dr.  Wallich 
says  that  "  the  slightest  shake  of  the  branch  is  sufficient 
to  detach  them."  We  have  also  noticed  this  trouble,  eveii 
on  very  young  plants. 


184  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEEGEEE^S. 

The  wood  warps  quite  easily,  and  in  consequence  is 
rarely  used  by  the  natives.  Loudon  says  "  it  was  discov- 
ered by  Captain  Webb,  and  named  jBrunoniana  by  Dr. 
Wallich  in  honor  of  Mr.  Brown." 

16.  A.  CanadensiS9 Michaux. — HEMLOCK  SPEUCE. — Syn. 
Tsuga  Canadensis,  Carriere. — Leaves,  |-  of  an  inch  long, 
flat,  obtuse,  linear,  dark  green  above,  and  glaucous  below. 
Branches,  horizontal,  drooping,  and  numerous.  Cones,  f 
of  an  inch  long,  greenish  when  young,  changing  to  light 
brown  with  age,  oval,  with  few  scales ;  scales,  roundish- 
oblong,  entire.  Seeds,  quite  small,  with  light  colored 
wings. 

The  Hemlock  Spruce  is  a  native  of  the  Northern  States, 
extending  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and 
from  the  high  mountains  of  North  Carolina,  in  the  South, 
to  about  the  51°  ]ST.  latitude,  near  Hudson's  Bay,  in  the 
North.  It  is  emphatically  a  northern  tree,  withstanding 
the  exposure  and  cold  storms  better  than  the  hot  summer 
suns  of  warmer  climates.  A  sufficient  proof  of  this  is  found 
in  the  fact  that  it  becomes  much  rarer  in  the  southern  lim- 
its, and  is  there  only  found  in  the  cooler  temperatures  of 
the  northerly  sides  of  high  mountains  in  the  Alleghanies, 
etc. 

Throughout  the  southern  portion  of  the  Middle  States 
this  species  is  found  generally  along  the  larger  streams 
and  rivers,  but  according  to  Michaux  this  peculiarity  is  not 
by  any  means  a  settled  rule ;  for  in  some  sections  where  it 
is  mingled  with  the  Black  Spruce  it  occurs  less  frequently, 
as  the  soil  is  more  humid. 

Throughout  our  most  northern  border  and  in  the  British 
Possessions,  the  Hemlock  Spruce  forms  vast  forests,  stretch- 
ing for  hundreds  of  miles,  and  is  frequently  unassociated 
with  any  other  species,  but  occasionally  may  be  found  in 
company  with  the  Black  Spruce,  White  Pine,  and  other 
trees.  Nuttall  mentions  that  it  was  collected  by  Dr. 
Scouler  on  the  north-west  coast  of  America,  and  was  also 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY. 


185 


Fig.  23.— ABIES  CANADENSIS,   ONE-HALF  THE  NATURAL  SIZE. 


186  THE    BOOK    OF   EVEKGREENS. 

observed  by  Dr.  Tolmie,  as  far  north  along  that  coast  as 
Milbank  Sound  and  Stikine.  It  is  also  common  in  the 
pine  forests  around  Vancouver,  and  along  the  high  banks 
of  the  "Wahlamet  and  the  Oregon. 

In  favorable  situations  this  spruce  forms  a  tall  tree  of 
about  70  or  80  feet  in  height,  and  is  frequently  clothed 
with  branches  nearly  to  the  ground ;  but  in  the  thick 
clumps  and  masses,  as  well  as  in  the  vast  forests,  it  runs 
up  a  tall,  clean  trunk  that  is  mostly  destitute  of  limbs  for 
a  considerable  distance.  The  old  trees,  however,  are  liable 
to  a  disease  which  causes  the  lower  branches  to  gradually 
die  away,  and  thereby  destroy  the  symmetry  of  the  tree ; 
but  to  the  younger  plants  no  objection  that  we  are  aware 
of  can  be  made.  The  regular,  conical  form,  tapering  from 
a  broad  base  evenly  to  a  long,  straight,  and  thrifty  leading 
shoot,  is  the  common  shape  of  the  tree. 

The  long,  slender  branches,  drooping  gracefully  to  the 
ground,  present  so  beautiful  a  picture,  that  it  is  in- 
deed difficult  to  surpass  it,  and  when  we  compare  the 
rich,  dark  green  foliage  of  a  healthy  plant  that  is  va- 
ried so  exquisitely  with  the  marked  glaucousness  of  the 
under  side  of  the  leaves,  we  must  admire  a  tree  which 
presents  such  a  diversity  of  charms.  We  have  often 
lingered  admiringly  in  the  contemplation  of  a  group  of 
these  trees,  watching  the  play  of  light  and  shade  as  it  in- 
creased or  diminished  through  their  verdure,  and  men- 
tally compared  these  claims  on  our  notice  with  the  rarer 
introductions  from  abroad ;  and  such  meditations  invaria- 
bly resulted  in  the  same  conclusion,  that,  so  long  as  they 
were  common,  (an  American  term  for  native  trees),  men 
of  more  means  than  taste  would  prefer  the  latter  class.  If 
such  will  it,  let  them  enjoy  their  preference,  but  so  far  as 
we  are  concerned,  were  we  restricted  to  one  tree,  we  would 
far  rather  have  a  fine  specimen  of  the  Hemlock  Spruce, 
than  all  the  Deodars  and  Cryptomerias  ever  introduced. 

Meehan,  in  his  admirable  little  book  on  Ornamental 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  187 

Trees,  remarks  of  the  Hemlock :  "  It  would  not  be  exag- 
geration to  pronounce  this  the  most  beautiful  evergreen  in 
cultivation.  Beautiful  as  many  of  the  new  pines  are,  few 
approach  this.  It  has  regularity  without  formality,  and, 
in  any  point  of  view,  elegance  and  gracefulness,  Its  habit 
is  frequently  so  erect  as  to  approach  the  fastigiate ;  yet 
the  ends  of  its  branches  are  as  pendulous  as  a  Babylonian 
Willow.  Its  color  is  not  of  that  mournful  cast  so  common 
to  other  PinaceaB,  nor  of  that  consumptive  looking  hue  so 
connected  with  sickliness.  Stepping  between  these  it  is 
suggestive  of  innocence  and  lightness,  which  cannot  fail 
to  attract  admirers  for  it  in  whatever  situation  it  is  placed. 
It  will  make  the  prettiest  object  when  grown  by  itself,  but 
it  is  a  tree  that  has  no  aversion  to  company." 

Many  cultivators  have  an  idea  that  it  is  exceedingly  dif- 
ficult to  remove,  and  on  this  account  have  neglected  it ; 
but  frequent  practice  for  many  years  has  assured  us  that 
no  Conifer,  taken  from  the  nursery  row  or  from  cultivated 
grounds,  will  better  sustain  a  removal  than  the  one  we  are 
now  describing. 

It  is  true  that  young  plants  carelessly  dug  in  their  na- 
tive haunts,  that  are  most  likely  partially  or  wholly  shad- 
ed, and  unprovided  with  a  sufficient  supply  of  delicate 
fibrous  roots,  will  almost  certainly  refuse  to  live ;  but  if 
small  seedlings  about  one  foot  high  be  selected  and  care- 
fully taken  up  and  removed  to  a  light  mellow  piece  of 
ground  that  is  shaded  naturally,  or  by  artificial  means, 
success  will  be  the  result. 

A  great  mistake  is  continually  being  made  by  planting 
the  Hemlock  in  dry  situations ;  for  while  it  cannot  thrive 
in  wet  and  swampy  ground,  it  greatly  prefers  a  rather 
moist,  deep,  loamy  soil  and  cool  location,  the  better  if  par- 
tially shaded.  In  such  spots  the  beauty  of  the  foliage  and 
luxuriant  growth  speedily  develop  themselves  in  the  high- 
est degree. 

According  to  Michaux,  the  value  of  the  Hemlock  tim- 


, 


188  THE    BOOK    OF   EVEKGKEEXS. 

her  is  less  than  that  of  any  other  American  resinous  tree ; 
but  since  his  time  the  immense  quantity  that  has  been  an- 
nually consumed  over  our  country  is  a  sufficient  proof  of 
its  popularity  for  rough  work.  Although  extremely  per- 
ishable and  coarse-grained  in  texture,  it  enters  largely  into 
the  construction  of  our  buildings,  furnishing  a  cheap  qual- 
ity of  lumber  for  the  unimportant  portions  that  are  pre- 
served from  the  action  of  the  weather.  It  is  a  source  of 
regret,  however,  that  a  tree  so  universally  scattered  over 
the  timber  sections  of  our  country,  and  in  such  immense 
quantities,  could  not  have  been  of  better  quality.  A  re- 
deeming quality,  nevertheless,  is  contained  in  the  bark, 
which  is  of  great  importance  for  tanning.  It  is  asserted 
that  although  inferior  to  oak,  a  mixture  of  the  two  is  much 
superior  to  either  when  used  separately. 

As  a  screen  the  Hemlock  Spruce  is  greatly  admired,  and 
as  it  bears  the  shears  well,  grows  thriftily,  is  of  a  dark 
green  color,  and  very  dense,  it  will  increase  in  the  estima- 
tion of  planters  as  its  availability  for  this  purpose  be- 
comes more  fully  known. 

Michaux  mentions  a  peculiarity  in  this  species  of  some- 
times ceasing  to  grow  at  the  height  of  24  or  30  inches,  in 
which  state  it  has  a  conical  form,  and  its  compact,  tufted 
branches  rest  upon  the  ground.  We  have  observed  this 
curious  variety  in  our  own  collection,  and  have  deemed  it 
of  sufficient  importance  to  perpetuate. 

Var.  liana,  Lawson. — Is  mentioned  by  Gordon  in  his 
Pinetum  as  "  not  growing  more  than  two  or  three  feet 
high,  and  spreading  on  the  ground  with  a  more  tufty  fo- 
liage." It  is  probably  not  distinct  from  the  numerous 
chance  sports  just  mentioned. 

Vai\  microphylla,  Lindley. — The  Gardener's  Chronicle 
describes  this  as  follows :  "  Messrs.  Fisher  &  Co.  raised  it 
from  seed  imported  from  Canada,  and  they  have  found  it 
much  more  hardy  than  Canadensis  itself,  it  not  having 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  189 

suffered  in  the  severe  winters  two  years  ago,  when  so 
many  Conifers  were  injured.  It  is  an  Abies  of  such  singu- 
larly dwarf  habit  that  it  might  almost  be  compared  with 
a  Heath ;  leaves,  very  dark  green,  with  a  white  streak  be- 
neath, rough  at  the  edge,  and  no  bigger  than  those  of 
Menziesia  polifolia.^ 

17.  A,  Douglasii,  Lindley. — DOUGLAS'  SPRUCE.— Syn. 
Tsuga  Douglasii,  Carriere. — Leaves,  from  1  to  1-J-  inches 
long,  linear,  obtuse,  flat,  quite  entire,  dark  green  above, 
silvery  glaucous  below.  Branches,  horizontal,  drooping, 
with  light  brown  bark.  Cones,  from  2  to  3  or  4  inches 
long,  ovate-oblong,  light  brown;  bracts,  numerous  at- the 
base ;  scales,  thin,  smooth,  entire,  round,  coriaceous,  per- 
sistent; bracteoles,  linear,  membranaceous,  twice  as  long 
as  the  scales,  with  acuminate  teeth.  Seeds,  small,  oval, 
with  a  crustaceous  testa,  and  a  short,  elliptic,  obtuse  wing. 

This  splendid  Conifer  was  first  discovered  by  Menzies 
in  the  year  1797,  at  Nootka  Sound,  during  the  voyage  of 
Vancouver,  and  from  the  specimens  then  procured  the 
name  of  Pinus  taxi/olio,  was  given  it  by  Lambert.  This 
specific  name,  however,  now  belongs  to  a  beautiful  variety 
of  it  that  will  be  mentioned  hereafter.  It  was  subse- 
quently found  by  Douglas,  who  determined  its  true  char- 
acter, and  in  whose  honor  it  has  been  named. 

Throughout  northwestern  America,  and  principally 
along  the  coast  from  the  latitude  of  43°  to  52°,  it  consti- 
tutes the  greater  portion  of  the  heavily  wooded  timber ; 
and  according  to  ISTuttall  it  extends  into  the  valleys  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  eastward  to  the  upper  waters  of  the 
Platte  and  the  Blue  Mountains  of  Oregon. 

The  size  of  some  of  these  trees  is  immense.  Douglas 
records  their  height  at  from  100  to  180  feet,  and  from  2  to 
10  feet  in  diameter;  one  of  these  prostrate  stumps  at  Fort 
George  on  the  Columbia  measured  48  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence at  3  feet  from  the  ground,  and  150  feet  still  remained 
without  any  branches.  It  is  supposed  that  the  immense 


190  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

trees  found  by  the  explorers  Lewis  and  Clarke  were  of 
this  species,  some  of  which  actually  measured  300  feet  in 
height.  According  to  most  writers,  however,  they  vary 
from  150  to  200  feet  in  height.  As  the  summits  of  the 
mountains  are  neared,  this  species  becomes  a  mere  bush 
of  only  a  few  feet  in  height.  Dr.  Parry,  who  recently 
explored  Pike's  Peak  and  other  haunts  of  this  tree,  thus 
alludes  to  it :  "  Abundant  through  the  eastern  mountain 
district,  except  on  the  higher  elevations.  A  very  sightly 
tree  of  the  average  height  of  80  feet,  with  a  graceful,  oval 
outline ;  the  spreading  branches  curving  upwards  at  the 
extremities." 

In  Downing's  description  of  the  pinetum  at  Dropmore, 
he  says :  "  The  oldest  and  finest  portion  of  the  pinetum 
occupies  a  lawn  of  several  acres  near  the  house,  upon 
which  are  assembled,  like  belles  at  a  levee,  many  of  those 
loveliest  of  evergreens — the  Araucaria,  or  Pine  of  Chili, 
the  Douglas  Fir  of  California,  the  sacred  Cedar  of  India, 
the  Funebral  Cypress  of  Japan,  and  many  others. 

"  Perhaps  the  finest  tree  in  this  scene  is  the  Douglas 
Fir,  (Abies  Douglasii).  It  is  62  feet  high,  and  has  grown 
to  this  altitude  in  21  years  from  the  seed.  It  resembles 
most  the  Norway  Spruce,  as  one  occasionally  sees  the  fin- 
est form  of  that  tree,  having  that  graceful,  downward 
sweep  of  the  branches,  and  feathering  out  quite  down  to 
the  turf,  but  it  is  altogether  more  airy  in  form,  and  of  a 
richer  and  darker  green  in  color.  At  this  size  it  is  the 
symbol  of  stately  elegance." 

Having  been  intimately  acquainted  with  this  tree  for  a 
number  of  years  and  observed  it  closely,  we  unhesitatingly 
place  it  upon  the  list  of  available  ornamental  trees,  with 
certain  restrictions ;  and  these  are  the  same  we  have  fre- 
quently recurred  to  in  our  remarks  on  other  Rocky  Moun- 
tain plants.  We  consider  it  superior  in  hardiness  to  the 
A.  Smithiana,  and  much  less  susceptible  of  scorching  by 
the  action  of  the  sun's  rays, 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  191 

The  beautiful  specimen  in  the  collection  of  the  late  John 
Evans,  at  Radnor,  near  Philadelphia,  is  now  25  feet  or  up- 
wards in  height,  makes  a  vigorous  annual  growth,  and 
with  the  exception  of  losing  a  portion  of  its  leader  in 
an  unusually  severe  winter  a  few  years  ago,  has  remained 
entirely  uninjured. 

This  fine  specimen  stands  on  a  gentle  declivity  facing 
the  south-west,  and  is  growing  in  a  light  gravelly  subsoil 
that  has  proven  too  dry  for  some  others  of  the  Coniferae. 

The  experience  of  cultivators  in  different  sections  of  our 
country  has  been  so  varied  and  so  opposite  in  character 
as  to  lead  those  interested  in  the  success  of  this  tree  to  in- 
quire into  this  apparent  contradiction  ;  and  in  every  case 
where  we  have  been  enabled  to  ascertain  correctly,  the 
fault  appears,  not  to  have  been  in  a  few  degrees  farther 
north  or  south,  but  to  be  in  reality  attributable  to  the  nat- 
ure of  the  soil  and  location.  We  therefore  enjoin  it  upon 
planters  to  select  a  cool,  open,  porous  subsoil  that  is  not 
too  rich,  and  endeavor  to  obtain  a  slight  protection  from 
the  northerly  winds.  Sargent's  views  on  this  point  so  ex- 
actly coincide  with  our  own,  that  we  present  them  here  : 
"Plants  with  us  in  low,  damp  ground,  suffer  occasionally 
in  color,  if  not  in  loss  of  leader ;  whilst  those  grown  in 
the  shade,  or  on  an  exposed  hillside,  in  poor,  slaty  soil, 
succeed  admirably." 

Nuttall  remarks  on  the  quality  of  the  timber  of  this 
species,  that  it  is  heavy  and  firm,  with  few  knots,  about  as 
yellow  as  that  of  the  Yew,  and  not  liable  to  warp, 
which  is  quite  different  from  the  account  given  of  it  by 
Dr.  Parry.  The  latter  says :  "  Wood  of  slow  growth,  but 
very  indifferent,  inclined  to  warp  and  crack,  turning  red- 
dish-brown in  drying." 

Var.  taxifolia,  London.  —  Syn.  Tsuga  Lindleyana, 
Hoed. — This  is  a  Mexican  variety  found  on  the  Real  del 
Monte  Mountains  at  an  elevation  of  from  8,000  to  9,000 
feet.  It  is  also  occasionally  met  with  in  portions  of  Oregon, 


192  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

and  is  perhaps  the  plant  first  discovered  by  Menzies.  It 
is  quite  distinct  from  the  species,  being  smaller  in  size,  with 
longer  and  darker  leaves,  and  with  broader,  shorter,  and 
less  pointed  scales ;  the  bracts  also  more  contracted. 

Var.  fastlgiata,  Knight. — Differs  from  the  species  in 
being  more  compact  and  conical  in  shape,  and  with  ascend- 
ing branches. 

Var,  Standishiana,  Gordon.  —  In  the  supplement  to 
Gordon's  Pinetum,  this  new  variety  is  described  at  some 
length  as  very  distinct  and  desirable,  having  large,  dark, 
glossy  green  foliage,  quite  silvery  below,  but  with  the 
habit  and  general  outline  of  A.  Douglasii.  It  originated 
in  Standish's  Nursery,  at  Bagshot,  and  is  not  yet  intro- 
duced into  our  collections. 


NEW    SPECIES    OF    HEMLOCK    SPRUCE. 

18,  A,  Mertensiana,  Lindley. — CALIFORNIA^  HEMLOCK 
SPRUCE. — Syn.  A.  heterophylla,  Rafinesque  ;  A.  taxifolia, 
Jeffrey  /  Tsuga  Mertensiana,  Carriere. — Leaves,  from  |- 
to  f-  of  an  inch  long,  flat,  obtuse,  crowded,  bright  green 
above,  slightly  glaucous  below.  Branches  and  branchlets, 
slender,  drooping,  and  very  numerous.  Cones,  f  of  an 
inch  long,  ovate,  with  few,  persistent,  reniform,  entire 
scales,  and  small,  pale  brown  seeds,  with  a  short  ovate 
wing. 

This  new  species  was  first  named  and  described  by 
Bongard,  the  Russian  botanist,  who  bestowed  upon  it  the 
title  of  Pinus  Mertensiana,  and  gave  Sitka  as  its  locality. 
It  is  found,  however,  in  different  parts  of  northern  Cali- 
fornia and  Oregon,  constituting,  according  to  some  writ- 
ers, one-half  the  timber  in  the  neighborhood. 

Its  height  is  from  100  to  150  feet,  and  unlike  the 
common  Hemlock  Spruce  it  forms  a  roundish-conical  head ; 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  193 

it  is  also  very  dense  and  compact  in  growth,  and  remark- 
ably graceful  in  the  arrangement  of  its  branches.  The 
main  body  of  the  tree  is  usually  straight,  with  a  gradual 
tapering  upwards,  and  covered  with  a  smoothish,  thin 
bark. 

We  have  hopes  of  being  able  to  acclimate  this  species, 
the  section  of  country  from  which  it  comes  being  such  as 
to  warrant  the  belief  that  it  will  be  hardy.  In  England 
it  is  represented  as  being  "  entirely  hardy,  and  very  much 
resembling  in  general  appearance  the  Hemlock  Spruce." 

Some  late  English  writers  have  confounded  it  with  the 
following  species,  A..  Williamsonii,  but  it  is  very  distinct 
from  this  in  many  leading  characters.  Timber,  white, 
soft,  and  almost  devoid  of  turpentine. 

19.  A.  Tsuga,  Siebold  <£  Zuccarini. — Syn.  Pinus  Tsuga, 
Antoine  &  Endlicher;  Tsuga  Tsuja,  Murray;  T:  Sieboldii, 
Carriere. — Leaves,  from  6  to  10  inches  long,  persistent,  ap- 
proximated, alternate,  sub-distichous,  linear,  emarginate, 
obtuse,  or  rarely  acute,  smooth,  coriaceous,  dark  green 
above,  with  a  white  line  on  each  side  of  the  midrib  below. 
Cones,  scarcely  1  inch  long,  elliptic,  or  sub-elliptical,  soli- 
tary, terminal,  obtuse,  quite  persistent ;  with  coriaceous, 
imbricated,  pale  brown  scales;  bracts,  truncate,  rather 
broad,  irregularly  bifid,  closely  appressed.  Seeds,  small, 
ovato-rhomboidal,  somewhat  compressed,  with  a  pale,  fer- 
ruginous, membranaceous  wing. 

A  small  Spruce,  rarely  exceeding  20  or  30  feet  in  height, 
and  reminding  one  of  a  small  Hemlock  Spruce,  both  in 
habit  and  general  outline,  and  in  fact  they  are  nearly 
allied.  There  also  exists  a  close  relation  between  it  and 
A.  Brunoniana. 

It  has  a  very  erect  trunk,  with  a  dark  brown  bark,  and 
numerous,  pale,  slender  branchlets. 

This  new  Spruce  is  found  in  the  northern  provinces  of 

Japan,  in  the  mountainous  parts  of  Mutsu  and  Dewa,  but 

is  quite  rare ;  Siebold  only  noticing  it  in  the  gardens  and 

shrubberies  surrounding  the  temples.     The  wood  is  yellow- 

9 


194  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

ish-brown,  and  is  manufactured   into  various   household 
utensils. 

Var.  UJilia,  Siebold. — Has  much  smaller  leaves  than  the 
species  and  does  not  exceed  2  or  3  feet  in  height,  and  is 
frequently  grown  in  pots  by  the  Japanese. 

20.  Ai    Hookeriana?    Murray. — HOOKER'S   HEMLOCK 
SPRUCE. — Syn.  A.  "William sonii,  Newberry;  Abies  Merten- 
siana,  English  authors  /  Picea  Williamsonii,  JEngelmann. 
— A  tree  of  large  size  and  alpine  habit;    leaves,  short, 
acute,   compressed,   with    a    lenticular  section.      Cones, 
pendent,  long,  ovoid,  acute,  \\  inches  long,  purple  when 
young ;  when  old,  cylindrical  or  somewhat  conical,  with  a 
flattened  base ;  scales,  rounded,  entire,  large  in  old  cones, 
strongly  reflexed,  except  at  the  base  of  the  cones ;  seeds, 
small,  ovoid,  black ;  wing  entire,  elliptical,  pellucid ;  male 
flowers,  in  small,  nearly  spheroidal  heads.     (Hfewberry.) 

From  the  Cascade  Mountains,  Oregon. 

Lawson,  in  his  new  work  on  the  Conifera?,  considers  this 
and  A.  'Williamsonii  the  same,  and  gives  his  reasons  at 
some  length. 

We  take  great  pleasure  in  recommending  this  rare  and 
new  Conifer  to  the  notice  of  cultivators,  believing,  as  it 
comes  from  the  same  section  of  country  as  many  others  of 
our  hardy  plants,  it  will  most  likely  prore  a  success. 
According  to  Dr.  Newberry,  it  is  an  alpine  species,  grow- 
ing near  the  region  of  perpetual  snow,  and  one  of  the 
finest  of  the  genus.  It  has  an  irregular,  spreading,  and  re- 
markably graceful  habit. 

21.  A,  Albertiana,  Murray. — Syn.  A.  Bridgei,  Kellogg. 
— This  was  described  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Acad.  of 
N"at.  Sci.  of  California  by  Kellogg,  but  Murray's  name 
has  the  priority  by  some  two  years.     From  Fort  Lang- 
ley,  arrtl  closely  allied  to  A.  Canadensis.     A  tree  80  to 
100  feet  in  height,  of  dark  verdure  and  graceful  appear- 
ance; the  branchlets  are  very  hairy,  slender,  and  droop- 
ing.    Abundant  on  both  north  and  south  bank  of  Fraser 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  195 

River.  The  timber  is  firmer,  finer,  and  straigliter-grained 
than  the  Canadian  Hemlock  Spruce,  which  it  represents 
on  the  Pacific  Coast.  The  fruit  is  remarkably  abundant ; 
a  specimen  8  inches  long  had  60  cones. 


§  ».— MCEA.— FIR. 

The  Firs  are  found  in  Europe,  Asia,  and  North  Ameri- 
ca, extending  from  the  torrid  to  the  frigid  zone,  but 
greatly  preponderating  in  the  latter.  Some  of  the  finest 
specimens  are  found  on  our  north-west  coast,  and  are  rep- 
resented by  travellers  as  being  of  enormous  proportions. 
A.  bracteata,  A.  nobilis,  A.  amdbilis,  and  A.  grandis,  are 
all  magnificent  trees,  averaging  from  150  to  200  feet  in 
height.  Mexico  is  well  represented  by  A.  religiosa,  an 
elegant  Conifer  growing  150  feet  high ;  and  Europe,  al- 
though possessing  no  such  gigantic  species,  furnishes  A. 
Nordmanniana,  A.  pectinate^  and  A.  Pindrow,  which  are 
often  found  100  feet  high  or  over. 

The  Firs  are  remarkable  for  a  perfect  and  formal,  coni- 
cal growth,  furnished  with  branches  to  the  ground,  and 
terminating  at  the  apex  in  a  straight,  strong,  leading 
shoot ;  thus  whilst  they  present  a  form  perfect  in  its  out- 
line, rich  in  color,  and  vigorous  in  growth,  it  must  be  con- 
fessed is  by  no  means  so  graceful  as  the  Spruce,  or  so 
charming  as  the  Pine.  On  hills,  rocky  prominences,  or 
rugged  valleys,  where  a  picturesque  effect  is  to  be  intro- 
duced, they  are  of  the  greatest  importance;  but  on 
smooth,  plain  lawns,  or  tame,  highly  cultivated  landscapes, 
they  should  be  very  sparingly  and  judiciously  introduced. 

The  timber  of  most  of  the  species  is  of  but  secondary 
importance,  but  the  resinous  products  of  the  greater  por- 
tion are  very  abundant  and  valuable.  In  the  classifica- 


196  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

tion  of  this  sub-genus  we  have  adopted  the  plan  pursued 
by  Endlicher  and  Gordon,  of  dividing  it  into  two  distinct 
groups,  viz. :  Bracteata,  and  Brevibracteata  /  the  former 
with  the  bracts  projecting  beyond  the  scales,  and  the  lat- 
ter having  them  enclosed  or  shorter  than  the  scales. 


GROUP  1.— KRACTJEATA. 

22 1  A,  Apollinis,  Link. — APOLLO  SILVER  FIR. — Syn. 
Picea  Apollinis,  Hauch  /  A.  Reginae  Amaliae,  Heldreich, 
etc. — Leaves,  from  ^  to  1  inch  in  length,  linear,  flat  and 
obtuse,  or  lanceolate  and  acute,  larger  leaves  slightly  glau- 
cous beneath,  smaller  ones  quite  glaucous  below,  the  former 
on  the  adult  branches  very  numerous,  whilst  the  latter  on 
the  young  branchlets  are  more  scattered  and  much  narrow- 
er. Male  catkins  in  groups,  surrounding  the  summits  of 
the  adult,  sessile  shoots.  Cones,  axillary,  solitary,  erect, 
very  resinous  on  the  surface,  and  similar  to  those  of  A. 
CepTialonica  in  size  and  shape ;  scales,  1  inch  or  more 
wide,  incurved,  and  rounded  on  the  upper  margin ;  bracts 
projecting  beyond  the  scales,  ear-shaped,  flat,  reflexed, 
mucro'nate,  and  lacerated  laterally  on  the  edges,  and  with 
a  long,  central,  reflected  point.  (Extracted  from  Gordon's 
description.) 

This  Silver  Fir,  which  was  described  by  Gordon  in  his 
first  edition  of  the  Pinetum,  as  a  synonym  of  Picea  Cepha,- 
lonica,  has  been  in  his  supplement  to  the  work  assigned  to 
the  position  of  a  species,  but  we  are  fearful,  without  suffi- 
cient grounds.  The  fructification,  which  is  usually  the  most 
unerring  guide  in  determining  these  questions,  is  so  nearly 
alike  in  the  two,  as  to  be  scarcely  distinguishable,  if  at  all ; 
and  in  young  plants  that  have  fallen  under  our  own  ob- 
servation, no  distinction  could  be  perceived. 

As  the  plants  increase  in  age  and  present  a  more  mature 
aspect,  the  case  may  be  different,  and  the  differences  be- 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  197 

come  more  apparent ;  we  therefore  yield  to  the  judgment 
of  such  authorities  as  Link,  Antoine,  and  Rauch,  and  like 
Gordon  have  given  it  a  specific  description,  although  sub- 
sequent observation  may  cause  us  to  diifer  from  them. 

It  is  a  native  of  Greece,  where  it  is  found  growing  on 
the  mountains  at  different  elevations,  from  1,500  to  4,000 
feet,  and  forming  a  tree  from  60  to  70  feet  in  height. 
Young  plants  in  our  grounds  have  proven  hardy,  and  as 
they  resemble  A..  Ceplialonica,  are  equally  handsome. 
We  feel  no  hesitation  in  recommending  it  for  trial. 

23,  A,  Imlsamea,  Marshall. — BALSAM  FIR,  OR  BALM  OF 
GILEAD  FIR. —  Syn.  Picea  balsamea,  London. —  Leaves, 
from  f  to  1  inch  long,  narrowly  linear,  spreading,  slightly 
recurved,  flat,  dark  green  above,  and  silvery  glaucous  be- 
neath. Branches,  horizontal  and  numerous,  with  a  smooth 
bark,  abounding  in  resinous  vesicles.  Cones,  3  to  4  inches 
long,  cylindrical,  violet  colored ;  scales,  broad,  thin,  round- 
ed, smooth;  and  obovate,  mucronate,  serrulate  bracts. 
Seeds,  small  and  angular. 

The  Balsam  Fir  was  first  described  by  Humphry 
Marshall,  the  pioneer  in  American  botanical  authorship, 
in  his  work  entitled  Arbustum  Americanum.  The 
habitat  of  this  species,  according  to  Gray,  is  in  cold,  damp 
woods  and  swamps,  New  England  to  Pennsylvania,  Wis- 
consin and  northward.  It  is  also  a  native  of  Canada, 
Nova  Scotia,  etc.,  where  it  is  very  abundant. 

This  Fir  has  been  frequently  confounded  with  the  A. 
Fraseri,  especially  as  the  description  given  by  Michaux 
of  A.  balsamifera  belongs  to  A.  Fraseri.  The  two  are 
quite  distinct  in  their  cones,  and  especially  so  in  the  bracts, 
but  otherwise  are  much  alike. 

The  Balsam  Fir  generally  grows  about  30  or  40  feet  in 
height,  and  forms,  when  young,  a  compact,  conical  tree  of 
regular  outline  and  rapid  growth.  It  has  been  so  long  a 
popular  ornamental  tree  in  many  parts  of  this  country, 
that  it  appears  like  turning  our  backs  upon  an  old  friend 


198  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 


Fig.  24. — ABIES  BALSAMEA,    TWO-THIRDS   THE  NATURAL  SIZE. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  199 

to  denounce  it;  but  there  are  so  many  better  species  to 
substitute  in  its  place,  that  we  can  part  with  it  without 
regret.  For  the  first  few  years  it  is  a  model  of  beauty  in 
color  and  form,  but  as  it  nears  maturity,  and  often  before, 
the  lower  limbs  commence  to  decay,  and  thus  the  beauty 
and  symmetry  of  the  tree  are  forever  destroyed. 

Not  withstanding  all  that  has  been  said  upon  the  subject, 
and  the  advice  from  all  well-intentioned  dealers  who  are 
aware  of  its  peculiarities,  together  with  facts  staring  them 
everywhere  in  the  face,  a  large  majority  of  purchasers  re- 
quest this  tree  of  the  nurseryman  in  advance  of  any  other, 
and  so  long  as  there  is  a  demand,  it  will  continue  to  be 
grown.  We  have  always  been  sorry  that  the  late  A.  J. 
Downing  commended  it  so  highly  in  his  Landscape  Gar- 
dening. 

A  very  aromatic  liquid  resin  is  obtained  from  this  tree 
by  incisions  made  in  the  bark,  and  is  called,  very  incor- 
rectly, "  Balm  of  Gilead,"  the  name  "  Canada  Balsam  "  be- 
ing much  more  appropriate.  The  wood  is  light,  yellowish, 
and  slightly  resinous.  This  species  was  introduced  into 
England  as  early  as  the  year  1697,  by  Bishop  Compton. 

Var.  longifolia,  Booth. — "  Has  leaves  longer  than  the 
sheaths,  with  the  branches  somewhat  more  upright. — 
(Loudon.} 

Var.  variegata,  Knight. — Has  yellowish  leaves  inter- 
mixed with  the  usual  color ;  otherwise  as  the  species. 

24.  A.  bracteata^-Hbo&er. — LEAFY-BRACTED  SILVER  FIR. 
— Syn.  Picea  bracteata,  Loudon. — Leaves,  2  to  3  inches 
long,  linear,  entire,  crowded  in  two  rows,  flat,  coriaceous, 
rigid,  light  shining  green  above,  silvery  glaucous  below. 
Branches,  in  whorls,  spreading,  slender ;  lower  ones,  de- 
cumbent. Cones,  4  inches  long,  2  inches  in  diameter, 
ovate,  on  short  peduncles,  turgid,  solitary,  lateral,  with 
roundish,  reniform,  concave,  crenulate,  acute,  persistent 
scales ;  bracts,  wedge-shaped,  rigid,  coriaceous,  trilobed 
at  apex,  lateral  lobes  irregularly  dentate,  short  and  round- 


200  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

ish,  middle  segment  2  inches  long  and  recurved,  varying 
but  little  from  ordinary  leaves.  Seeds,  oblong,  wedge- 
shaped,  tetragonal,  with  a  grayish-brown  testa,  and  very 
short,  thinly  membranaceous,  flat,  reticulated,  entire  wings. 

This  species  was  discovered  by  Douglas  in  Oregon 
growing  on  the  higher  mountains,  and  was  afterward  found 
by  Dr.  Coulter  on  the  sea-side  mountain  range  of  Santa 
Lucia,  in  latitude  36°,  and  according  to  his  authority  is 
about  120  feet  in  height  and  2  feet  in  diameter,  with  a 
trunk  as  straight  as  an  arrow. 

The  very  curious  and  remarkable  cones  borne  by  this 
tree  are  handsomely  fringed  by  long,  leaf-like  bracts, 
that  are  entirely  different  from  those  belonging  to  any 
other  species.  The  foliage  is  quite  long  and  of  a  beautiful 
bright  green  color,  which  finely  contrasts  with  the  glau- 
cousness  of  the  under  side,  and  the  whole  form  of  the  tree 
is  unexceptionable.  Frequently  but  one-third  of  the  body 
is  clothed  with  branches. 

Douglas,  in  his  description  of  the  species,  remarks  : 
"  When  on  the  tree,  being  in  great  clusters,  and  at  a  great 
height  withal,  the  cones  resemble  the  inflorescence  of  a 
jBanksia,  a  name  I  should  like  to  give  this  species,  but 
that  there  is  a  P.  Bariksii  already.  This  tree  attains  a 
great  size  and  height,  and  is  on  the  whole  a  most  beautiful 
object.  It  is  never  seen  at  a  much  lower  elevation  than 
6,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  in  lat.  36°,  where  it 
is  not  common." 


knowing  of  any  specimen  of  the  A.  bracteata  in 
cultivation  in  this  country,  we  are  of  course  unable  to 
speak  of  its  adaptation  to  our  climate  ;  but  Gordon  says 
in  England  :  "  It  is  quite  hardy,  but  suffers  very  much  in 
its  young  growth  from  late  spring  frosts."  If  that  indi- 
cates a  quite  hardy  tree,  then  we  greatly  mistake  the 
meaning  of  the  term  ;  as  to  its  succeeding  with  us,  we 
have  our  doubts,  however  we  may  desire  it  to  do  so. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  201 

25,  A.  CephaIonica,Zowc£<m — CEPHALONIAN  SILVER  FIE. 
— Syn.  Picea  Cephalonica,  London. — Leaves,  j-  of  an  inch 
or  more  in  length,  dagger-shaped,  almost  sessile,  numer- 
ous, equally  distributed,  sharply  mucronate,  dark  green 
and  shining  above,  glaucous  below.  Branches,  numerous, 
horizontal,  and  spreading,  with  bright  brown  bark  and  res- 
inous buds.  Cones,  from  5  to  6  inches  in  length,  cylindri- 
cal, straight,  with  broad,  entire  scales ;  bracts,  linear-ob- 
long, with  unequally  toothed,  rigid,  and  reflexed  sharp 
points  at  the  apex. 

This  very  beautiful  Fir  is  a  native  of  Mt.  Enos,  the 
highest  mountain  of  Cephalonia,  as  well  as  of  several  parts 
of  Greece.  On  the  former  locality  it  is  found  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  from  4,000  to  6,000  feet,  growing  60  feet  high, 
with  a  broad,  spreading  head,  the  body  measuring  9  or  10 
feet  in  circumference.  It  was  first  introduced  into  Eng- 
land by  General  Napier,  Governor  of  Cephalonia,  who, 
being  much  interested  in  its  culture,  sent  home  seeds  which 
have  produced  some  splendid  specimens.  It  has  in  Eng- 
land proved  entirely  hardy,  and  in  every  way  perfectly 
satisfactory. 

We  are  exceedingly  partial  to  this  tree,  not  only  on  ac- 
count of  its  hardiness  with  us,  but  for  its  dark  green, 
unique  looking  foliage,  standing  out  in  every  direction  like 
miniature  bayonets,  as  if  to  guard  the  tree  from  all  invad- 
ers ;  and  such  an  office  it  is  well  capable  of  performing, 
for  its  exceedingly  sharp  points  repel  all  attempts  at  fa- 
miliarity. 

In  light  soils,  as  well  as  in  those  of  a  tenacious  clayey 
loam,  we  have  seen  specimens  that  would  rival  the  Arau- 
caria  in  beauty.  One  of  the  finest  specimens  we  have 
ever  seen  is  growing  in  the  collection  at  Wbdenethe,  on 
the  Hudson,  the  height  of  which  we  should  judge  to  be 
20  feet ;  others  are  10  and  12  feet  high,  and  although 
younger,  are  equally  beautiful  and  healthy. 

All  with  whom  we  have  conversed  agree  as  to  its  har- 
diness, although  in  Meehan's  little  treatise  he  speaks  of 
9* 


202  THE   BOOK   OP   EVERGREENS. 

the  young  plants  being  liable  to  lose  their  terminal  buds 
in  excessively  cold  weather,  and  recommends  tying  a  little 
cotton  around  the  main  shoot  to  protect  it.  We  have 
never  experienced  any  ill  effects  from  this  cause,  although 
our  plants,  even  at  the  age  of  three  and  four  years,  have 
been  left  in  the  open  air. 

London  remarks  of  the  wood :  "  The  timber  of  this  tree 
is  said  to  be  very  hard  and  of  great  durability.  General 
Napier  informs  us  that  in  pulling  down  some  old  houses 
in  the  town  of  Argostoli,  which  had  been  built  from  150 
to  300  years  before,  all  the  wood-work  of  Black  Forest 
fir  was  as  hard  as  oak,  and  perfectly  sound." 

26.  A.  Fraseri,  Pursh.— ERASER'S  BALSAM  FIR.— Syn. 
Picea  Fraseri,  London ;  A.  balsamifera,  MicJiaux.  — 
Leaves  closely  resemble  those  of  A.  balsamea  /  "  cones, 
1  to  2  inches  long,  oblong-ovate ;  bracts,  oblong-wedge- 
shaped,  short  pointed,  the  upper  part  much  projecting  and 
reflexed."  (Gray.) 

This  species,  according  to  Gray,  inhabits  the  "moun- 
tains of  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  and  southward  on  the 
highest  Alleghanies.  Also  on  the  mountains  of  W.  New 
England."  It  is  quite  a  small  tree,  scarcely  ever  exceeding 
20  feet  in  height,  and  is  generally  distinguished  from  A. 
balsamea  by  its  shorter,  denser,  and  more  erect  foliage,  as 
well  as  the  very  compact  shape  and  numerous  small 
branchlets.  Nuttall  says  "  it  was  discovered  on  the  high 
mountains  of  Carolina  by  Eraser,  and  on  the  Broad  Moun- 
tain in  Pennsylvania,  by  Mr.  Pursh,  who  first  describ- 
ed it." 

As  an  ornamental  tree  this  can  never  occupy  a  promi- 
nent place,  being  liable  to  the  same  defects  as  those  here- 
tofore noticed  in  our  description  of  the  Common  Balsam 
Fir.  It  is  also  smaller  and  less  beautiful  in  form,  although 
the  specimens  that  have  fallen  under  our  notice  may  not 
have  been  fair  examples  as  to  shape  and  general  character. 

The  Evans  specimen  is  about  10  feet  high,  and  is  grow- 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  203 

ing  in  the  edge  of  a  wood  where  the  plant  has  been  much 
shaded ;  a  more  open  and  better  locality  might  have  pro- 
duced different  results.  Its  hardiness  is  beyond  a  doubt. 

Var,  Hndsonica,  Knight. — Is  a  very  pretty  dwarf  plant 
that  will  perhaps  not  exceed  four  feet  in  height,  although 
we  have  seen  a  specimen  15  years  planted  that  has  attain- 
ed the  above  size,  and  is  still  vigorous  and  increasing. 

It  is  remarkably  dense  and  compact,  and  of  a  beautiful 
deep  green  color,  agreeably  diversified  with  the  glaucous- 
ness  of  the  under  side  of  the  leaves.  It  was  discovered  in 
the  vicinity  of  Hudson's  Bay.  We  take  great  pleasure 
in  directing  attention  to  this  little  variety,  believing  it 
will  meet  the  wants  of  our  planters  in  general. 

27*  A.  Iiobilis,  Lindley. — NOBLE  SILVER  FIR. — Syn. 
Picea  nobilis,  London  •  Pinus  nobilis,  Douglas. — Leaves, 
If  inches  long,  linear,  falcate,  mostly  acute,  crowded,  com- 
pressed, deep  green  above,  glaucous  below.  Branches, 
horizontal,  spreading,  and  numerous.  Cones,  from  6  to  7 
inches  long,  and  from  8  to  9  inches  in  circumference,  cyl- 
indrical, sessile,  with  large,  incurved,  stipulate,  and  entire 
scales ;  bracts,  large,  reflexed,  imbricated,  spathulate, 
with  terminal,  awl-shaped  points.  Seeds,  oblong,  with  a 
coriaceous  testa,  and  broad,  pale  colored  wings. 

The  Noble  Silver  Fir,  as  its  specific  name  implies,  is  one 
of  the  most  magnificent  productions  of  our  hemisphere. 
Douglas  says  of  it:  "This  singular  species  is  a  majestic 
tree,  forming  vast  forests  on  the  mountains  of  Northern 
California,  and  produces  timber  of  an  excellent  quality." 
He  adds  :  "  I  spent  three  weeks  in  a  forest  composed  of 
this  tree,  and  day  by  day  could  not  cease  to  admire  it." 

Along  the  banks  .of  the  Columbia  Kiver,  and  on  the 
mountains  of  Northern  California,  as  well  as  other  locali- 
ties on  our  northwestern  coast,  these  trees  flourish  and 
grow  to  an  immense  size.  Jeffrey  mentions  finding  speci- 
mens 200  feet  in  height  and  four  feet  in  diameter,  grow- 
ing on  the  Shasta  Mountains  at  an  elevation  of  from  6,000 


204  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGBEENS. 

to  8,000  feet.  In  allusion  to  its  immense  size,  the  Indians 
have  given  it  the  name  of  "  Tuc-tuc,"  which  means  liter- 
ally "  the  Big  Tree." 

The  high  prices  charged  for  the  majority  of  these  rare 
Conifers  is  probably  the  reason  that  we  so  seldom  meet  with 
them  in  cultivation.  Therefore,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
of  the  more  enthusiastic  cultivators,  the  A.  nobilis,  with 
other  kindred  species,  is  almost  entirely  unknown.  But 
when  their  merits  become  more  fully  understood  by  our 
intelligent  planters,  they  will  certainly  stand  high  in  their 
esteem.  The  species  we  are  now  describing  is  apparently 
quite  hardy,  but  we  should  advise  planters  to  give  the 
young  plants  a  slight  protection  during  winter. 

In  a  letter  from  the  lamented  Downing  to  the  Horticul- 
turist a  few  years  since,  he  thus  mentions  a  splendid  speci- 
men of  the  Abies  nobilis  growing  in  the  arboretum  at 
Chatsworth :  "  But  the  two  most  striking  and  superb  trees, 
which  I  nowhere  else  saw  half  so  large  and  in  such  per- 
fection, were  Douglas'  Fir  (A.  Douglasii),  and  the  Noble 
Fir  (A.  nobilis).  They  are  two  of  the  magnificent  ever- 
greens of  California  and  Oregon,  discovered  by  Douglas, 
and  brought  to  England  about  18  years  ago.  These  two 
specimens  are  now  about  35  feet  high,  extremely  elegant 
in  their  proportions,  as  well  as  beautiful  in  shape  and 
color." 

Another  recent  writer  thus  eloquently  speaks  of  this  tree : 
"  Its  ivy-colored,  dark  shining  green  leaves,  with  horizon- 
tal, outspreading  branches,  each  tier  forming  complete 
platforms  around  the  tree,  with  a  surface  almost  as  level  as 
Utrecht  velvet,  never  fails  to  put  the  stranger  into  a  state 
of  amazement  to  contemplate  such  a  wonderful  arrange- 
ment of  beauty,  elegance,  and  perfection."  According  to 
Lambert,  this  species  is  nearly  related  to  A.  Fraseri,  but 
has  cones  five  times  as  large. 

28,  A.  IVordniaillliaiia,  Link.— NOBDMANN'S  FIB.— Syn. 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  205 

Pinus  Nordmanniana,  Steven;  Picea  JSTordmanniana, 
London. — Leaves,  1  inch  long,  linear,  flat,  incurved,  dark 
green  above,  and  glaucous  below.  Branches,  numerous  and 
horizontal,  with  a  smooth  bark.  Cones,  5  inches  long,  pe- 
dunculate, ovate ;  with  large,  obtuse,  closely  appressed, 
entire,  recurved  scales ;  and  short,  mostly  cordate  bracts, 
ending  in  a  recurved  point.  Seeds,  soft  and  triangular, 
with  an  obliquely  expanded,  membranaceous  wing. 

This  desirable  Fir  was  first  discovered  by  Prof.  Nord- 
mann  on  the  Adshar  Mountains,  at  an  elevation  of  6,000 
feet,  and  growing  from  80  to  100  feet  high,  with  a  straight 
stem.  It  is  quite  abundant  on  the  Crimean  Mountains, 
and  those  east  of  the  Black  Sea ;  and  "  on  the  southern 
declivity  of  the  mountains  between  Cartalin  and  Achalzich, 
as  far  up  as  the  alpine  regions,  growing  amongst  a  forest 
of  Abies  Orientalist 

Our  experience  with  this  species  has  been  so  very  satis- 
factory that  we  wish  it  were  better  known.  The  most  se- 
vere winters  have  never  affected  it  in  the  least,  and  it  ap- 
pears always  to  retain  the  beautiful  green  color  of  its  fo- 
liage in  all  seasons  and  through  all  vicissitudes.  It  is 
quite  vigorous  in  growth,  beautiful  in  verdure,  regular 
and  graceful  in  form,  of  large  size,  and  perfectly  hardy  in 
this  latitude.  What  success  those  living  in  a  less  tem- 
perate climate  than  our  own  may  have  with  this  species, 
we  are  at  present  unable  to  say ;  but,  judging  from  our  own 
specimens,  we  infer  it  would  thrive  still  farther  north. 

29.  A.  pectinata,  De  Candolle. — EUROPEAN,  OR  COMMON 
SILVER  FIR. — Syn.  A.  Picea,  Lindley ;  Picea  pectinata, 
London /  Pinus  Picea,  Wildenow. — Leaves,  from  •£•  to  1 
inch  long,  linear,  obtuse,  occasionally  acute  with  the  point 
incurved,  rigid,  deep  shining  green  above,  glaucous  below. 
Branches,  horizontal  and  in  whorls.  Cones,  from  6  to  8 
inches  long,  cylindrical,  axillary,  green  when  young,  then 
changing  to  red,  and  brown  at  maturity ;  scales,  rather 
large,  thin,  rounded;  bracts,  long,  and  tipped  with  an 
acute  point.  Seeds,  more  or  less  angular,  very  resinous, 
with  a  broad,  membranaceous  wing.  Cotyledons,  5. 


206  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

A  well-known  species  that  was  introduced  into  this 
country  several  years  ago.  It  is  from  the  principal  moun- 
tain ranges  of  Middle  and  Northern  Europe,  but  is  found 
more  plentifully  upon  the  Alps,  extending  their  entire 
length  from  east  to  west,  at  an  elevation  of  from  2,000  to 
4,500  feet.  In  favorable  situations  it  forms  a  large-sized 
tree  about  100  feet  high,  although,  according  to  London,  it 
will  grow  from  160  to  180  feet ;  as  it  is  a  rapid  grower, 
the  tree  soon  arrives  at  maturity. 

We  cannot  recommend  it  for  general  cultivation  for 
several  reasons.  In  the  first  place,  young  plants  remove 
very  badly,  and  are  frequently  three  and  four  years  in  re- 
covering from  the  change  of  location ;  severe  winters  gen- 
erally aifect  the  foliage  and  occasionally  destroy  a  portion 
of  the  branches,  particularly  the  main  shoot ;  they  require 
a  deep,  rich  soil  to  perfect  their  greatest  beauty,  and  in 
such  are  liable  to  be  injured  by  a  strong,  luxuriant,  unrip- 
ened  growth ;  and  at  best,  the  tree  is  exceedingly  formal 
and  devoid  of  the  graceful  habit  that  is  so  frequently  as- 
sociated with  the  Conifene.  If  anything  more  be  needed 
to  blast  its  reputation,  we  might  also  add  it  is  very  short- 
lived and  impatient  of  drought. 

On  the  other  hand,  when  fully  established  in  a  suitable 
soil  and  location  where  it  is  protected  from  the  strong 
winds,  this  tree  forms  a  rapid-growing  specimen,  with  deep, 
shining  green  foliage  and  quite  striking  in  character ;  and 
although  we  never  could  appreciate  the  remarkable  beau- 
ties that  some  authors  have  seen  in  old  trees  of  this  species, 
we  confess  a  healthy,  vigorous,  and  dense-growing  young 
plant  involuntarily  excites  admiration  from  almost  every 
one.  Some  of  the  finest  specimens  in  this  country  are  at 
the  Bartram  gardens  near  Philadelphia ;  in  Peirce's  ar- 
boretum in  this  neighborhood;  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Germantown,  Pa. 

A  writer  in  the  Gardener's  Monthly,  says :  "  The  Balsam 
Firs  mentioned  in  Downing's  Landscape  Gardening,  grow- 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  207 

ing  on  the  grounds  of  the  late  Geo.  Sheaff,  Esq.,  at  White 
Marsh,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  is  a  mistake ;  those  hand- 
some Balsams  are  unusually  fine  specimens  of  the  JPicea 
pectinata,  and  have  made  a  growth  of  near  80  feet  in 
about  30  years." 

Loudon  commences  his  description  of  this  species  as  fol- 
lows :  "  The  Silver  Fir,  the  noblest  tree  of  its  genus,  ex- 
cept P.  Webbiana"  etc. ;  thus  ignoring  the  more  noble  di- 
mensions of  our  north-west  species,  which  are  unapproach- 
able in  size  and  beauty.  Whilst  the  Abies  pectinata  rare- 
ly, if  ever,  exceeds  180  feet  in  height,  such  American  Firs 
as  the  A.  nobilis,  A.  grandis,  and  A.  amabilis,  reach  an 
altitude  of  from  200  to  250  feet ;  and  Jeifrey  states  that 
he  saw  specimens  of  A.  grandis  280  feet  in  height. 

The  Silver  Fir  produces  a  white  wood,  elastic  and  hard, 
with  an  irregular  grain.  The  Strasburg  turpentine  is  ex- 
tracted from  tumors  found  on  the  bark  of  this  tree,  and 
according  to  the  ancient  writers  was  valued  in  their  day. 

As  is  the  case  with  all  our  well-known  cultivated  trees 
that  have  a  wide  range,  this  Fir  has  a  large  number  of 
varieties.  We  select  a  few  of  the  most  distinct,  although 
possibly  not  very  desirable  in  other  than  large  collections. 

Var.  pendula,  G-odefroy. — Is  a  peculiar  plant,  as  hardy 
as  the  species,  but  not  very  handsome.  A  specimen  in 
our  collection  reminds  one  of  an  unmanageable  tree  of  the 
Winter  Nelis  Pear. 

Var,  tortuosa,  Sooth. — Is  only  curious,  the  branches 
being  twisted  and  deformed. 

Var,  pyramidalis,  Hort. — This  peculiar  tree  is  described 
as  having  its  branches  curved  upward,  but  with  the  ends 
more  or  less  drooping.  The  general  outline  resembles 
somewhat  that  of  the  Lombardy  Poplar.  From  Germany 

Var,  Yariegata,  Hort. — Has  numerous  pale  yellowish 
leaves  intermingled  with  the  usual  green  foliage. 

Var.   fastigiata,   Sooth.  —  A  French  kind  with  the 


208  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

branches  all  erect,  although  somewhat  like  var.  pyramid- 
alls  in  its  general  outline,  but  with  branchlets  more  slen- 
der and  compressed,  and  with  small,  slender,  and  frequently 
incurved  leaves. 

Var.  nana,  Knight. — According  to  Gordon  this  is  a 
very  dwarf  variety,  growing  one  or  two  feet  high,  and 
smaller  in  all  its  parts.  Of  French  origin,  and  probably 
the  var.  cinerea,  of  Baumann,  and  mentioned  by  Loudon. 

30,  A,  religiosa,  LindUy. — SACRED  SILVER  FIR. — Syn. 
A. hirtella, Lindley;  Picea hirtella  &  P.  religiosa, London' 
Pinus  hirtella  &  P.  religiosa,  Humboldt. — Leaves,  from  1 
to  1-J-  inch  long,  linear,  entire,  obtuse,  coriaceous,  distich- 
ous, dark  green  above,  silvery  glaucous  below.  Branch- 
es, when  young,  hirsute,  but  smooth  and  covered  with  a 
brown  bark  when  old,  slender.  Cones  5  inches  long, 
roundish-oval,  obtuse,  pedunculate;  with  large,  entire, 
lamelliform,  cordate,  acute  scales ;  and  broad,  reflexed, 
serrated,  membranaceous  bracts.  Seeds,  rather  large, 
irregular,  and  wedge-shaped,  with  a  thinly  membranaceous, 
transparent  wing. 

This  beautiful  Silver  Fir  is  a  native  of  Mexico,  and  is 
found  on  several  of  the  colder  altitudes  of  the  mountains 
in  that  country.  Loudon  says :  "  This  is  a  tall  and  elegant 
tree  found  by  Humboldt  on  the  lower  hills  of  Mexico,  be- 
tween Masantla  and  Chilpantzingo,  at  an  elevation  of  4,000 
feet.  Deppe  and  Schiede  found  it  upon  the  cold  moun- 
tains of  Orizaba,  at  the  highest  limit  of  arborescent  vege- 
tation. The  leaves  are  larger,  and  the  branches  more 
slender  than  those  of  any  other  of  the  Silver  Fir  tribe ; 
and  they  are  used  by  the  Mexicans  for  adorning  their 
churches." 

The  Sacred  Silver  Fir  is  peculiarly  handsome  in  foliage, 
with  long,  slender,  drooping  branches,  and  of  immense 
size.  A  plant  in  our  own  collection  fully  endorses  the 
character  given  it  in  this  respect,  but  it  has  not  been 
tested  in  the  open  air.  As  we  have  no  accounts  from  oth- 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  209 

ers  who  have  tried  it,  we  are  at  present  unprepared  to 
class  it  among  our  hardy  plants ;  and  we  greatly  fear  it 
will  not  succeed,  although  it  comes  from  high  altitudes. 


GROUP    II.— BItEVIKR  VCrEATA. 

31.  A.  amabilis,  Lindley. — LOVELY  SILVER  FIE. — Syn. 
Abies  lasiocarpa,  Lindley;  Pinus  amabilis,  Douglas;  Picea 
amabilis,  London. — Leaves,  1  to  \\  inch  long,  linear, 
flat,  obtuse,  crowded,  entire,  incurved,  light  green  above, 
glaucous  below.  Branches,  numerous,  horizontal,  and 
spreading.  Cones,  6  inches  long  and  2|-  inch  in  diam- 
eter, cylindrical ;  with  round,  entire,  smooth  scales,  and 
very  short,  pointed  bracts.  Seeds  soft  and  angular,  with 
a  membranaceous  wing. 

This  lovely  tree  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  Conifers 
from  our  northwestern  coast.  It  was  discovered  by 
Douglas,  and  subsequently  found  by  Jeifrey  growing  on 
the  mountains  at  an  elevation  of  4,000  feet,  and  forming 
gigantic  specimens  250  feet  in  height,  when  in  gravelly 
soil.  The  trunks  were  frequently  5  feet  in  diameter,  with 
60  feet  of  the  main  body  of  the  tree  entirely  destitute  of 
branches.  Its  principal  locality  is  on  the  mountains  east 
of  Fraser's  River,  in  Northern  California,  in  latitude  50°. 

Although  as  yet  very  rare,  and  the  plants  in  this  section 
of  the  country  necessarily  quite  small,  WTC  feel  assured  that 
in  time  the  A.  amabilis  will  be  ranked  as  one  of 
our  most  desirable  trees ;  and  certainly,  if  hardy,  it  will 
be  greatly  admired  for  the  peculiar  loveliness  of  its  whole 
aspect.  From  all  that  we  can  learn,  those  who  have 
tested  it  find  it  entirely  hardy. 

We  must  acknowledge  a  strong  partiality  in  favor  of 
these  native  Conifers,  and  as  they  are  unexcelled,  and 
even  unequalled  in  the  whole  world,  we  have  the  greatest 
desire  to  see  them  acclimated  with  us. 


210  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

The  species  now  under  notice  is  one  of  the  finest  of  this 
class  of  trees,  and  for  a  long  time  was  considered  by  bot- 
anists as  a  variety  of  A.  grandis,  which  belief  was 
strengthened  by  Nuttall  in  his  N".  A.  Sylva,  where  he 
mentions  it  as  having  much  larger  cones  and  entire  leaves ; 
and  the  leaves  of  A.  grandis  being  somewhat  toothed  or 
notched. 

32,  A.  Cilicica,  Carrier e. — CILICIAN  SILVER  FIR. — 
Leaves,  from  1  to  If  inch  long,  1  line  broad,  flat,  linear, 
straight,  numerous,  mostly  distichous,  but  somewhat  irregu- 
larly scattered  around  the  young  shoots,  shining  dark  green 
above,  and  glaucous  below.  Cones,  7  or  8  inches  long, 
almost  2  inches  in  diameter,  cylindrical,  obtuse,  erect; 
with  closely  imbricated,  coriaceous,  concave,  thin  scales, 
entire  on  the  margins ;  bracts,  small,  crenate,  shorter  than 
the  scales,  and  terminating  in  a  point.  Seeds,  slightly 
triangular,  very  resinous,  with  a  wedge-shaped  wing. 

The  Cilician  Silver  Fir  is  one  of  the  newer  introductions 
from  Asia  Minor,  and  like  the  A.  Apollinis  it  has  received 
a  variety  of  synonyms  and  has  been  assigned  to  several 
positions,  especially  as  a  variety  of  our  older  well-known 
species.  It  is  found  extensively  on  the  Caramanian  and 
Taurian  Mountains,  where  it  forms  immense  forests,  fre- 
quently in  company  with  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon.  It  gen- 
erally attains  the  height  of  50  feet,  with  the  branches  in 
whorls,  and  covered  with  light  gray  bark,  becoming 
deeply  furrowed  with  age. 

The  form  is  mostly  very  conical,  with  numerous,  small, 
slender  branchlets,  and  dark,  glossy  green  leaves.  Gordon 
says :  "  M.  Kotschy  discovered  it  in  one  of  the  valleys  of 
the  Taurus  to  the  north-west  of  the  great  Cilician  defile 
called  G-ullah  JBoghos,  and  on  the  southern  slope  of  the 
great  mountain  chain  called  Bulgardah,  in  Cilicia,  at  an 
elevation  of  from  3,000  to  7,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ' 
sea." 

On  account  of  the  strong  resinous  odor  emitted  from  this 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  211 

tree,  the  Russians  have  bestowed  upon  it  the  name  of 
Tchugatskoy,( Strong-scented  Fir,)  and  hence  Dr.  Fischer's 
naine  of  Pinus  Tchugatskoi.  Young  plants  in  this  coun- 
try have  proven  quite  hardy  in  the  open  air,  and  although 
closely  resembling  some  of  our  older  species,  especially  A. 
Pichta,  it  may  eventually  prove  a  desirable  and  distinct 
Silver  Fir. 

33.  A.  grandis,  Lindley. — GREAT  SILVER  FIR. — Syn. 
Pinus  grandis,  Douglas  ;  Piceagrandis,Xowc?o^. — Leaves, 
from  1  to  lijr  inches  long,  linear,  flat,  obtuse,  pectinate,  emar- 
ginate,  spreading,  dark  shining  green  above,  and  silvery 
glaucous  below.  Cones,  3£  inches  long,  2  inches  broad, 
cylindrical,  obtuse,  erect,  solitary,  chestnut-brown  color; 
scales,  very  broad,  transverse,  incurved  on  the  margin, 
crescent-shaped,  entire,  deciduous ;  bracts,  very  short, 
ovate-acuminate,  included,  irregularly  crenulate.  Seeds, 
small,  oblong,  with  a  membranaceous,  brittle,  shining, 
broad,  truncate  wing. 

A  superb  species  in  every  respect,  from  our  north-west 
coast.  According  to  Douglas,  it  inhabits  the  low  moist 
valleys  of  Northern  California,  but  ISTuttall "  found  it  abun- 
dant, and  constituting  considerable  tracts  betwixt  Fort 
Vancouver  and  the  neighboring  saw-mill,  6  or  7  miles 
above  the  fort,  where  many  logs  had  been  cut  down  and 
sawn  into  planks,  which  were  taken  for  sale  to  Oahee,  one 
of  the  Sandwich  Islands.  It  also  grew  in  the  pine  woods 
of  Wappatoo  Island,  in  both  of  which  places  it  was  fre- 
quently about  240  feet  in  height." 

Jeffrey  describes  it  as  growing  on  the  banks  of  Fraser's 
River,  from  the  Falls  all  the  way  down  to  the  ocean,  but 
particularly  on  the  alluvial  banks  of  the  river,  near  Fort 
Langley,  growing  280  feet  high,  5  feet  in  diameter,  and 
50  feet  without  branches ;  although,  according  to  Nuttall, 
some  trees  "  present  a  tall,  naked  shaft,  of  100  or  more 
feet  in  height,  when  it  commences  to  branch  with  a  high, 
spreading,  pyramidal  summit."  This  species  is  likewise 
found  at  South  Umpqua,  on  the  banks  of  Fraser's  River. 


212  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

At  first  glance,  the  Great  Silver  Fir  would  most  likely 
be  taken  for  a  splendid  specimen  of  the  Common  Silver 
Fir,  but  on  a  closer  inspection  its  real  character  and  beauty 
become  apparent.  The  long,  deep  green,  and  shining 
foliage,  placed  regularly  in  two  rows;  the  exact  system 
of  whorls  of  the  branches ;  the  strong,  vigorous  growth 
of  the  plant ;  together  with  its  great  hardiness  and  adapt- 
ability to  our  climate,  are  undoubtable  proofs  of  its  future 
usefulness  as  an  ornamental  tree  with  us. 

Of  all  the  new  and  rare  Conifers  that  it  has  been  our 
pleasure  to  test,  not  one  exceeds  this  in  our  estimation. 
We  have  grown  it  in  the  open  air  for  10  years,  and,  en- 
tirely unprotected,  it  has  withstood  the  most  severe  cold 
and  intense  heat,  with  equal  and  unvarying  success.  Our 
oldest  specimen  is  the  admiration  of  every  one  who  has 
beheld  it,  and  is  a  living  proof  of  its  availability  to  our 
cultivators  in  the  Middle  States.  The  above  named  plant 
is  growing  in  a  well  drained,  turfy,  loose  soil,  but  how  it 
might  be  affected  by  a  clayey  or  retentive  subsoil,  we  are 
unable  to  judge.  As  to  protection  during  winter,  the  above 
plant  has  not  needed  the  slightest.  When  only  six  inches 
in  height  it  was  placed  in  its  present  position,  and  has 
been  fully  exposed  ever  since. 

The  wood,  according  to  Nuttall,  "was  found  to  be  soft, 
white,  and  coarse-grained,  yet  very  well  suited  for  floor- 
ing and  other  purposes,  where  better  timber  could  not  be 
had." 

Var.  Lowiana,  Syn.  Picea  Lowiana,  Gordon. — Low's 
CALIFORNIA]*  SILVER  FIR. — Syn.  P.  grandis,  Z/obb,  not 
Douglas. — Leaves,  from  1-J-  to  2%  inches  long,  quite 
straight,  rather  distant,  dull  glaucous  green  above,  two 
faint  glaucous  bands  below.  Cones,  from  3^  to  5  inches 
long,  and  1^-  inches  broad. — (Extracted  from  Gordon^  in 
Sup.  to  Pinetum.) 

This  new  Silver  Fir,  according  to  Gordon,  was  first  dis- 
covered and  introduced  into  England  by  W.  Lobb,  the 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  218 

collector  of  the  Clapton  Nursery.  Gordon,  who  first 
described  it  in  his  supplement,  and  who  gave  it  a 
specific  name,  thus  alludes  to  its  habitat,  etc.:  "A  noble 
tree,  frequently  upwards  of  250  feet  in  height,  and  5  or  6 
feet  in  diameter,  found  in  British  Columbia  and  Northern 
California,  but  always  in  valleys  or  along  the  alluvial  banks 
of  rivers." 

There  appear  to  be  two  distinct  forms  of  A.  grandis, 
perpetuated  by  nurserymen,  known  as  var.  lasiocarpa, 
and  var.  Parsoniana,  or  Parsonii.  The  first  of  these  is 
described  as  a  species  in  "Endlicher's  Coniferarum"  on 
the  authority  of  Hooker,  with  the  following  distinctions : 
Leaves  alike  in  color  on  both  sides,  whilst  those  of  the 
species  are  glaucous  below.  Bracts  broadly  obovate, 
scarcely  denticulate,  mucronate.  Scales,  sub-rotundate  and 
deeply  pubescent. 

Parson's  variety  has  very  long,  incurved  leaves  of  a 
peculiar  glossy  green  color,  perfectly  conical  in  form,  and, 
in  fact,  it  appears  to  embrace  every  quality  that  can  be 
desired  in  a  first-class  Conifer. 

34.  A.  Pichta9  Fischer. -SIBERIAN  SILVER  Fiu.-Syn.  A. 
Sibirica,  Ledeb.;  Picea  Pichta,  London. — Leaves,  1  inch 
long,  linear,  flat,  obtuse,  incurved  at  the  apex,  mostly  scat- 
tered, crowded,  very  dark  green  above,  paler  below. 
Branches,  horizontal,  somewhat  pendulous  at  maturity. 
Cones,  3^  inches  long,  cylindrical,  obtuse ;  with  obovate, 
rounded,  entire  scales ;  and  very  short,  irregularly  toothed 
bracteoles,  that  end  in  a  long  point.  Seeds,  small,  with 
very  large,  membraiiaceous  wings. 

The  A.  Pichta  is  a  rather  small  Asiatic  species,  from  the 
mountains  of  Siberia  and  Altai,  where  it  is  found  in  large 
numbers,  and  forms  whole  forests  of  the  richest,  darkest 
verdure,  reaching  to  an  elevation  of  from  2,000  to  5,000 
feet.  It  generally  grows  from  25  to  50  feet  in  height,  and 
is  remarkably  dense  and  compact  in  growth. 

The  specimen  standing   in  the  arboretum  of  the  late 


21 4:  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

John  Evans,  at  Radnor,  Delaware  Co.,  Pa.,  is  now  about 
15  feet  high,  and  an  acquaintance  of  several  years  with 
this  plant  has  caused  a  partiality  on  our  part  for  the 
species.  It  stands  on  a  sloping  bank,  near  a  stream  of 
water,  upon  whose  surface  the  sombre  hue  of  the  Siberian 
Fir  is  reflected  back  in  a  charming  manner.  It  is  a  beau- 
tiful plant  in  a  proper  position. 

We  have  found  this  species  exceedingly  hardy  in  all  soils 
and  situations,  even  when  quite  young,  and  do  not  hesitate 
to  recommend  it  for  general  cultivation  as  one  of  the  best 
of  the  smaller  class  of  Conifers. 

For  cemeteries,  where  its  peculiar  dark  foliage  would  be 
very  appropriate  in  connexion  with  other  shades  of  ver- 
dure, we  would  especially  advise  it;  and  in  landscape 
gardening,  in  parks  and  pleasure  grounds,  it  will  be  found 
useful  for  creating  a  strong  contrast.  But  in  every  case, 
owing  to  its  rather  small  size,  it  should  occupy  a  front 
position  in  a  group  which  will  be  noways  marred  by  the 
fine  outline  peculiar  to  this  species. 

The  A.  Pichta  was  considered  by  Don  as  but  a  variety 
of  the  A.  pectinata,  with  the  foliage  of  a  less  silvery  color, 
more  dense  in  habit,  and  of  a  smaller  size ;  but  subsequent 
investigation  has  proven  it  decidedly  distinct.  It  much 
more  resembles  a  well-formed  specimen  of  A.  balsamea, 
but  with  a  decided  superiority  over  that  species  in  every 
respect. 

Var.  longifolia,  Sort. — Syn.  Abies  Siberica  alba, 
Fischer. — Is  described  by  Gordon  as  a  variety  with  longer 
leaves,  and  more  silvery  on  the  under  side  than  the  species, 
and  is  said  to  be  found  on  the  upper  parts  of  the  Altai 
Mountains. 

35,  A,  Pindrow,  Spach. — UPRIGHT  INDIAN  SILVER  FIE. 
— Syn. Picea  Pindrow, London;  P.  Herbertiana, Madden' 
P.  Kaptha,  Knight. — Leaves,  from  2  to  2%  inches  long, 
mostly  distichous,  occasionally  scattered,  flat,  acute,  entire, 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  215 

deep-green,  with  a  slight  glaucousness  on  the  under  side. 
Branches,  verticillate  and  spreading.  Cones,  from  4|  to 
4f  inches  long,  cylindrical,  smooth,  dark  purplish  color  ; 
scales,  rigid,  entire,  wedge-shaped;  bracts,  very  small, 
rounded,  emarginate.  Seeds,  small,  angular,  very  resin- 
ous, shining-brown  color,  with  large,  pale  brown  wings. 

Although  a  remarkably  beautiful  and  noble  tree  in  its 
native  habitat,  with  us  it  is  extremely  precarious.  Accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Royle,  it  grows  from  80  to  100  feet,  with  widely 
spreading  branches,  and  is  found  at  an  elevation  of  1,000 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  Gordon  says,  it  is  "  found 
abundantly  in  Bhotan  from  11,000  to  12,000  feet  of  eleva- 
tion." 

Our  experience,  like  that  of  many  other  cultivators  of 
this  species,  has  been  so  very  discouraging  that  we  are 
forced  to  pass  it  by  as  one  of  those  trees  that  are  natives 
of  a  high  elevation,which  do  not  succeed  in  a  less  even,  but 
perhaps  warmer  temperature.  Although  our  plants  have  oc- 
casionally been  defaced  in  severe  winters,  we  have  found 
our  hot  summer  suns  to  be  much  more  injurious  to  them 
than  excessive  cold,  and  even  in  the  milder  climate  of 
England,  Gordon  recommends  planting  them  when  young, 
in  a  northern  aspect,  or  screening  them  from  the  mid-day 
sun. 

There  is  a  close  resemblance  between  this  species  and 
A.  Webbiana,  but  Don  remarks  that  "  the  former  is  readily 
distinguished  from  the  latter  by  its  longer  and  acutely 
bidented  leaves  of  nearly  the  same  color  on  both  surfaces, 
and  by  its  shorter  and  thicker  cones,  with  trapezoid-formed 
scales,  and  rounded,  notched  bracteoles." 


36,  A,  Pinsapo^o&sfcer.—  PINSAPO  FIR.  —  Syn.  PiceaPin- 
sapo,  London.  —  Leaves,  -J-  to  {•  of  an  inch  long,  very  stiif, 
sharp-pointed,  crowded,  scattered  regularly  round  the 
shoots,  deep  green  above,  and  slightly  glaucous  below. 
Branches  and  branchlets  exceedingly  numerous,  the  former 
in  whorls.  Cones,  from  4  to  5  inches  long,  cylindrical  or 


216  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

oval,  sessile;    with  entire,  broad,  rounded    scales;    and 
small    bracts.      Seeds,  soft  and  angular.     Cotyledons,  7. 

A  very  striking  and  beautiful  tree  from  the  mountains 
of  Spain,  where  it  constitutes  large  forests,  and  especially 
in  portions  of  the  Sierra  de  la  Nieve,  at  an  elevation  of 
from  4,000  to  6,000  feet,  and  growing  from  60  to  70  feet 
in  height. 

Although  we  are  not  prepared  to  accord  to  this  tree  the 
title  of "  perfectly  hardy,"  as  described  in  Sargent's  edi- 
tion of  Downing's  Landscape  Gardening,  yet  we  can  say 
it  will  succeed  in  many  sheltered  situations,  if  in  favorable 
soil.  We  know  that  it  has  failed  frequently  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Philadelphia  and  elsewhere,  but  we  presume 
from  the  effects  of  a  heavy  soil  and  imperfect  drainage. 
In  our  vicinity  there  are  two  or  three  fine  plants,  that, 
except  being  a  little  injured  in  a  severe  winter  a  few  years 
since,  have  succceeded  splendidly,  and  we  trust  that  in 
favorable  localities  it  may  prove  satisfactory.  It  never- 
theless belongs  to  the  class  of  trees  that  are  uncertain  in 
particular  soils  and  situations.  We  are  pleased  to  hear, 
however,  that  it  proves  so  fine  at  Woodenethe,  where 
there  is  a  plant  10  feet  high,  and  perfect  in  its  proportions, 
showing  conclusively  the  effect  of  good  soil  and  careful 
cultivation. 

In  its  native  haunts,  this  species  is  frequently  found  near 
the  summits  of  the  tallest  mountains,  where  the  snow 
occasionally  lies  four  or  five  months  in  the  year,  but  when 
in  such  situations,  chiefly  on  the  northern  exposures.  The 
timber  resembles  that  of  the  Common  Silver  Fir,  and 
abounds  in  resin. 

Var,  Yariegata,  Hort. — Is  described  by  Gordon  as  hav- 
ing a  portion  of  the  leaves  and  smaller  shoots  of  a  pale 
yellow  or  straw  color,  intermixed  with  the  ordinary  ones. 

37.  A.  WcbMana,  Lindley. — WEBB'S  PURPLE-CONED  SIL- 
VER FIR. — Syn.  A.  spectabilis,  Spach  ;  Picea  Webbiana, 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  217 

London.— Leaves,  from  1^  to  2  inches  long,  mostly  distich- 
ous, coriaceous,  linear,  flat,  bright  glossy  green  above,  and 
slightly  glaucous  below.  Branches  in  whorls,  spreading, 
horizontal,  with  rough  scaly  bark,  and  large,  oval,  resinous 
buds.  Cones  from  6  to  7  inches  long,  cylindrical,  obtuse, 
very  resinous,  and  of  a  bright  purple  color;  scales,  wedge- 
shaped,  coriaceous,  regularly  imbricated,  and  quite  entire ; 
bracts,  very  small.  Seeds,  angular,  with  a  thick,  cori- 
aceous testa,  and  broad,  slender,  membranaceous  wing. 

The  very  close  resemblance  between  this  species  and  P. 
Pindrow  has  caused  much  confusion  among  cultivators  in 
regard  to  the  identity  of  their  specimens ;  and  as  both  are 
equally  susceptible  of  being  injured  by  our  winters,  the 
confusion  is  still  more  increased.  The  A.  Webbiana  is  a 
native  of  the  Himalayas  and  the  Alps  of  Gossainthan  in 
Nepal,  at  elevations  varying  from  9,500  to  12,000  or  13,000 
feet,  where  it  attains  to  the  height  of  70  or  80  feet, 
forming  a  large,  pyramidal-shaped  tree  with,  broad,  spread- 
ing branches,  and  in  adult  specimens  with  a  rather  tabular- 
formed  top. 

Capt.  H.  S.  Webb,  who  first  discovered  this  tree,  thus 
alludes  to  it:  "This  purple-coned  pine  attains  a  height  of 
80  feet  or  90  feet,  with  a  diameter  of  the  stem  near  the 
ground  of  from  3  feet  to  4  feet.  The  cone  is  produced  on 
the  extremity  of  the  shoots.  The  leaves  are  about  one 
inch  long,  (two  inches  with  us),  of  a  beautiful  light  green, 
having  a  white  stripe  in  the  centre.  The  wood  even  equals 
in  the  texture  of  its  grain  and  in  odor  the  Bermudas  Cedar. 
The  fruit  is  said  to  yield,  at  full  growth,  a  purple  pigment 
by  expression.  The  silvery  hue  of  the  bark  and  the  beau- 
tiful contrast  of  the  leaves  with  the  rich  purple  of  the  cone, 
glittering  with  globules  of  transparent  resin,  produce,  in 
combination,  one  of  the  most  striking  objects  which  can 
well  be  imagined,  and  entitle  the  tree  to  precedence  for 
ornamental  purposes." 

The  remarks  in  regard  to  the  hardiness  of  A.  Pindrow 
are  quite  appropriate  to  this. 
10 


218  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

The  timber  of  A.  Webbiana,  according  to  some  writers, 
is  coarse-grained,  but  soft  and  white,  and  abounds  in  a 
clear,  light-colored  resin. 


NEW    SPECIES    OF    FIRS. 

38.  A.  Fortunj,  Murray — FORTUNE'S  SILVER  FIR. — 
Syn.  A.  Jezoensis,  Linwey,  Carriere,  Gordon,  etc. 
— Leaves,  from  6  to  12  lines  in  length,  from  f  to  1  line 
in~  diameter,  not  very  closely  appressed,  distichous, 
solitary,  sessile,  terminating  in  a  strong  point,  very  bril- 
liant green  on  both  sides.  Cones,  from  6  to  8  inches  long, 
rather ''straight,  obtusely  rounded  at  each  end,  short-pe- 
duncled,  numerous,  erect,  bluish-purple  when  young,  brown 
with  a  purplish  bloom  when  old ;  scales,  large,  convex, 
pedicillate,  dull,  tomentose ;  bracts,  narrow,  slender, 
rather  more  than  one-half  the  length  of  the  scale,  with  a 
tooth  at  the  apex,  purplish-brown  color.  Seeds,  long,  nar- 
row, angular,  wedge-shaped,  fawn-colored,  and  terminating 
in  a  narrow  point,  with  a  large  wing. 

This  rare  species,  described  by  Gordon,  and  others, 
as  the  A.  Jezoensis,  is  very  distinct  from  the  latter  in  many 
prominent  particulars ;  and  as  the  two  have  been  con- 
founded, Murray,  in  an  interesting  description,  points  out 
the  difference,  and  bestows  the  name  of  Picea  Fortuni 
on  this,  which  is  the  A.  Jezoensis  of  Lindley  and  later 
authors,  but  not  the  A.  Jezoensis  of  Siebold  and  Zuccarini. 

"It  was  at  Foo-chow-foo  that  Mr.  Fortune  found  it.  A 
single  tree  in  the  grounds  of  a  famous  temple,  named  Koo- 
shan,  there  struck  his  attention.  It  was  an  aged  Fir, 
stretching  out  its  branches  in  a  tabulated  form,  like  a 
Cedar  of  Lebanon,  and  on  these  were  growing  the  mag- 
nificent cones,  which  he  figured,  standing  erect  and 
thickly  grouped,  like  rows  of  soldiers.  It  was  the  only 
tree  of  the  kind  which  he  saw,  and  from  it  he  obtained  the 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  219 

seeds  and  specimens  which  he  sent  to  Messrs.  Standisli 
and  Noble." — (Murray  in  "Pines  and  Firs  of  Japan") 

In  the  Revue  Horticole,  M.  Caniere  has  endeavored  to 
show  that  this  plant  is  not  an  Abies  at  all ;  but  a  new  ge- 
nus, which  he  has  named  Keteleeria,  in  honor  of  M.  Kete- 
leer,  the  eminent  nurseryman  of  Paris.  He  considers  that 
it  is  distinguished  from  Abies  and  Picea  in  having  the 
erect  cones  of  the  latter,  and  the  persistent  scales  of  the 
former.  These  characters  would  hardly  seem  sufficient  to 
found  a  new  genus  upon. 

39.  A.  Veitchi,  Lindley. — Syn.  Picea  Veitchi,  Lindley. 
— Leaves,  from  6  to  12  lines  long,  f  of  a  line  broad,  sessile, 
closely  approximated,  linear,  flat,  upper  surface  smooth  and 
glaucous,  lower  surface  silvery.  Cones,  from  2^  to  2-J- 
inches  long,  sub-cylindrical,  straight,  obtuse  at  the  apex, 
short-peduncled,  erect  near  the  axillae  of  the  branchlets, 
and  dark  brown  color;  scales,  rounded,  and  disposed  hori- 
zontally ;  bracts,  same  length  as  the  scale,  wedge-shaped 
at  base,  rounded  truncate  at  apex,  with  a  continuation  of 
the  midrib  projecting  in  the  middle.  Seeds,  small,  angular, 
testaceous,  crested,  fawn-colored,  with  a  short,  transverse, 
dark-brown  wing. 

This  handsome  new  species  was  discovered  by  J.  G. 
Yeitch,  on  Mount  Fusi-Yama,  at  an  elevation  of  from  6,000 
to  7,000  feet,  and,  according  to  the  statements  of  the 
Japanese,  it  is  peculiar  to  that  mountain.  It  forms  a  finely 
shaped  tree  from  120  to  140  feet  in  height.  We  make  the 
following  extracts  from  Murray's  description  of  this  Fir: 
"  This  is  a  very  distinct  species,  having  the  smallest  cone 
of  any  Picea  yet  known.  Mr.  Ycitch  speaks  of  it  as  inter- 
mediate between  P.  nobilis  and  P.  N~ordmanniana.  In 
this  he  must  refer  to  the  foliage  and  general  port  of  the 
tree,  for  the  cones  have  nothing  in  common  ;  the  small, 
narrow,  apparently  bractless  cone  of  A.  Veitchi  being  a 
perfect  contrast  to  the  magnificent,  large,  well-bracteated 
cone  of  P.  nobilis  and  P.  Nordmanniana. 


220  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

The  foliage  is  more  nearly  allied  to  P.  JVbrdmanniana 
than  to  P.  nobilis. 

This  species  was  introduced  into  England  in  the  year 
1861 ;  and  we  have  strong  hopes  it  may  succeed  with  us 
in  the  Middle  States,  but  we  are  not  aware  that  it  is  yet 
in  any  American  collection. 

40.  A.  COncoIor. — Syn.  Picea  concolor,  Engelmann. — 
This  species  is  one  of  the  recent  discoveries  in  New  Mexico, 
and  is  described  by  Engelmann  as  forming  a  tall  tree  on 
the  mountains  of  that  region,  and  somewhat  resembling 
A.  grandis  in  foliage.     It  was  named  Pinus  concolor  by 
the  discoverer. 

41.  A,  glaucescens,  Roezl. — This  new  Fir  was  found  by 
the  discoverer,  Roezl,  on  the  Monte  de  las  Cruces,  in  Mexico, 
and  described  by  him  as  having  silvery-white  foliage.     It 
is,  no  doubt,  according  to  his  statements,  very  beautiful, 
but  we  judge  not  at  all  suited  to  our  climate. 

This  species  has  been  sent  to  England  by  Roezl,  under 
the  various  names  of  Abies  Tlapcdcatuda,  A.  hirtella, 
and  A.  glauca.  The  discoverer  says  of  it,  "  The  leaves  are 
so  glaucous  or  silvery  on  each  side,  that  at  a  great  distance 
one  would  declare  the  trees  were  covered  with  snow,  and 
that  they  are  much  whiter  than  the  Cedrus  J)eodara,  on 
closer  inspection." 


3.— CEDRUS,  Link.— CEDAR. 

Leaves,  rigid  and  persistent.  Scales  of  the  cone,  closely 
appressed.  Seeds,  adhering  to  the  base  of  their  lacerated 
membranaceous  wings ;  testa  filled  with  balsamiferous 
vesicles.  Carpels,  separating  from  the  axis.  Male  aments, 
from  the  apex  of  the  one  year  old  branchlets,  almost  bien- 
nial. 

Although  the  older  authors  have  classed  the  Cedars  un- 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  221 

der  Larix,  we  believe  that  botanists  of  the  present  day 
are  of  the  opinion  that  Link's  view  is  correct,  and  that 
many  genera  are  based  upon  much  less  distinctive  charac- 
ters than  is  Cedrus. 

The  different  species  belonging  to  this  genus  are  natives 
of  the  north  of  Africa,  India,  and  Mountains  of  Lebanon, 
and  form  beautiful,  large  trees.  The  experience  of  culti- 
vators with  this  genus  has  been  so  adverse  that  it  would 
be  hazardous  to  call  any  one  species  entirely  hardy  even 
in  the  Middle  States. 

~No  genus  of  Conifers  appears  to  be  so  whimsical  in  its 
character  as  this ;  for  while  we  hear  of  plants  being  inva- 
riably killed  in  quite  warm  and  apparently  suitable  local- 
ities, others  again  will  stand  well,  and  flourish  beautifully 
in  a  higher  latitude  and  seemingly  less  favorable  location. 
Again,  we  occasionally  find  plants  belonging  to  this  genus, 
surviving  for  years  in  a  low,  wet  spot  of  ground,  and  mak- 
ing yearly  an  astonishing  growth  that  ripens  regularly, 
and  is,  to  all  appearance,  thoroughly  hardy,  and  then  sud- 
denly die  from  some  unknown  cause. 

We  have  other  instances  where  trees,  planted  on  the 
north  side  of  buildings,  succeed  much  better  than  any- 
where else  in  their  particular  neighborhoods;  whilst  in 
another  section,  the  finest  plant  we  have  ever  seen  is 
growing  directly  facing  the  south,  and  protected  by  the 
dwelling  from  the  cold  northerly  winds.  From  our  own 
experience  we  should  plant  the  Cedars  in  a  rather  warm 
and  protected  situation,  and  on  a  light  and  well-drained 
soil ;  and  in  such  the  best  success  will  usually  be  obtained. 

The  Cedars  form  a  valuable  addition  to  our  list  of  orna- 
mental Conifers,  where  they  succeed  properly.  There  is 
a  pleasing  gracefulness  in  the  branches,  and  a  beautiful  tint 
in  the  foliage  of  the  Deodar;  and  the  noble  proportions, 
as  well  as  the  associations  connected  with  the  history  of 
the  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  must  invariably  create  a  partiality 
on  the  part  of  cultivators  in  its  favor. 


222  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

The  name  of  this  genus  is  supposed  to  be  derived  from 
the  brook  Cedron,  in  Judea,  a  locality  where  the  C.  Libani 
is  very  abundant.  London  quotes  the  following  deriva- 
tions from  other  authors — kaio,  I  burn,  in  allusion  to  the 
use  of  the  wood  for  incense.  From  the  Arabic  Jcedroum 
or  Jcedre,  power. 

!•  C.  Atlantica,  Mamtti. — AFRICAN,  SILVER,  OR  MT.  AT- 
LAS CEDAR. — Syn.  C.  argentea,  London  /  C.  Africana,  Gor- 
don; C.  elegans,  ^Knight. — Leaves,  varying  from  -^  to  f-  of 
an  inch  long,  mostly  cylindrical,  straight,  rigid,  mucronate, 
crowded,  and  beautiful  glaucous-green  color.  Branches, 
numerous,  slender,  and  mostly  horizontal.  Cones,  from  2|- 
to  3  inches  long,  ovate,  resiniferous,  and  glossy ;  scales, 
closely  appressed,  flat,  smooth,  coriaceous.  Seeds,  small, 
soft,  angular,  with  long,  transparent  wings. 

A  beautiful  species  of  large  size,  from  the  Atlas  range 
of  mountains,  in  the  northern  portion  of  Africa,  at  eleva- 
tions varying  from  7,000  to  9,000  feet,  where  it  forms  a 
tree  from  80  to  100  feet  high. 

The  African  Cedar  is  specifically  distinct  from  the  Cedar 
of  Lebanon,  and  although  resembling  the  latter  in  general 
appearance,  it  must  not  be  considered  as  a  mere  variety, 
because  it  is  so  nearly  allied.  The  acute  M.  Decaisne  has 
declared  emphatically  that  this  plant  is  a  true  species,  and 
distinct  from  G.  Libani.  The  same  botanist  records  the 
following  interesting  notes,  taken  by  M.  P.  Jamin,  director 
of  the  nursery  at  Biskara.  "Cedars  begin  to  appear  at  three- 
fourths  up  the  slope  of  Fougour,  where  they  produce  a  mag- 
nificent effect,  and  form  a  thick  forest  up  to  the  very  sum- 
mit of  the  peak.  It  is  not  uncommon  to  find  specimens  40 
yards  high,  and  1^-  yards  in  diameter  at  the  but.  The 
two  species  live  together,  but  they  are  distinguished  at 
first  sight.  The  Silver  Cedar  was  covered  with  ripe 
cones;  on  that  of  Lebanon  they  were  more  behind,  and' 
flowers  were  still  visible  on  some  of  the  branches.  The 
habit  of  the  Silver  Cedar  is  that  of  the  Silver  Fir — it  i* 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  223 

pyramidal,  and  its  foliage  is  silvery;  while  that  of  the 
Cedar  of  Lebanon  is  dark  green,  and  its  branches  hori- 
zontal, as  we  all  know.  The  number  of  trees  is  estimated 
at  20,000 ;  the  finest  are  on  the  northern  face  of  the  peak." 
M.  Jamin  saw  many  dead  of  old  age,  or  struck  by  light- 
ning. 

The  young  plants  of  the  African  Cedar,  although  ex- 
ceedingly like  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  are  distinguished  by 
their  more  slender  branches,  and  more  silvery,  dense,  and 
stronger  foliage.  In  this  country,  young  plants  are  more 
hardy  and  rapid  in  growth  than  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon. 

The  two  species  require  the  same  conditions,  and  an 
appropriate  situation  for  the  O.  Libanl  will  be  equally 
fitting  for  the  C.  Atlantica.  As  far  as  their  respective 
hardiness  is  concerned,  we  can  detect  but  little  difference. 
It  is,  however,  a  wise  precaution  to  give  the  young  seed- 
lings a  slight  protection  of  evergreen  boughs  during  the 
winter  months. 

In  protecting  a  plant,  the  matter  should  not  be  over- 
done, as  we  have  suffered  dearly  in  this  respect.  Wishing 
to  preserve  a  fine  bed  of  the  African  Cedar  during  its  first 
winter  in  the  open  ground,  we  gave  it  a  heavy  covering 
of  branches,  and  the  consequence  was  that  every  vestige 
of  bark  was  eaten  off  by  the  field-mice ;  and  yet  others 
near  by,  without  any  protection,  and  some  with  a  very 
slight  shelter,  escaped  uninjured.  In  a  neighboring  bed 
were  a  few  very  rare  Firs,  covered  with  corn  fodder,  and 
they  were  eaten  up  entirely,  not  even  th<3  wood  remain- 
ing to  mark  the  spot. 

Since  that  time  we  have  been  very  careful  to  afford  only 
a  moderate  protection.  A  few  evergreen  branches  are  far 
preferable  to  a  heavy  mass  of  covering  of  any  description. 

2,  C.  Deodara,  London. — DEODAR  CEDAE. — Leaves, 
from  1  to  2  inches  in  length,  4-sided,  or  occasionally  3-sided, 
rigid,  acute,  very  numerous,  bright  green,  covered  with  a 


224  THE    BOOK    OF   EVEKGEEEXS. 

glaucous  bloom.  Branches,  spreading  and  drooping. 
Cones,  from  4  to  5  inches  long,  ovate,  obtuse,  very  resin- 
ous, rich-purple  when  young,  dark-brown  at  maturity; 
scales,  closely  appressed,  smooth,  thin,  entire,  broad,  and 
separating  from  the  axis  at  maturity.  Seeds,  regularly 
wedge-shaped,  soft,  with  a  large,  bright  brown  wing. 

Gordon,  in  the  supplement  to  his  Pinetum,  says :  "  It 
has  not  yet  been  found  in  a  natural  state  either  in  Eastern 
Nepal  or  Sikkam,  although  these  gigantic  sons  of  snow 
fringe  the  bare  rocks,  and  fix  their  roots  where  there  ap- 
pears to  be  very  little  soil,  on  the  lofty  passes  from  Nepal 
to  Cashmere;  and,  according  to  Capt.  Pemberton,  (in  his 
Report  on  the  Eastern  Frontier,)  the  most  southern  point 
to  which  the  Deodar  has  yet  been  traced  is  the  summit 
of  the  lofty  ranges  immediately  west  of  Munepoor,  an  in- 
teresting region,  which,  with  the  Singfo  Mountains,  south- 
east of  Assam,  carry  the  zone  of  perpetual  snow  farthest 
south  in  India.  The  Deodar  also  grows  to  extraordinary 
dimensions  on  all  the  higher  mountains  throughout  the 
western  Himalayas,  and  occurs  in  vast  forests  in  Kunawur, 
Kumaoon,  Kooloo,  Mussoorie,  and  on  the  Chumbra  range 
in  Kangara,  at  elevations  varying  from  6,000  to  12,000 
feet.  At  Rashulah,  in  Kooloo,  a  forest  exists  with  trees 
from  18  to  24  feet  in  girth,  at  4  feet  from  the  ground ;  and, 
according  to  Dr.  Jameson,  of  two  trees,  measured  by  him, 
near  Mulare,  in  Gurhwal,  at  an  elevation  of  11,000  feet, 
one  girthed  26  feet,  at  three  feet  from  the  ground,  and  the 
other  27  feet ;  but,  as  a  general  rule,  the  finest  trees  are 
always  found  growing  on  the  north  side  of  barren  moun- 
tains, on  thin,  poor  soil,  formed  from  the  decomposition  of 
granite,  gneiss,  mica,  or  clay-slate." 

Capt.  Johnson,  in  his  Excursion  to  the  Sources  of  the 
Jumna,  states  that  the  peaks  on  the  northern  side  of  the 
Boorung  Pass  were  completely  hidden  by  forests  of  gigan- 
tic Deodars,  some  of  which  measured  33  feet  in  circum- 
ference, and  were  from  60  to  70  feet  without  a  branch. 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  225 

Dr.  Griffith  writes :  "  But  to  see  the  Deodar  in  its  great- 
est perfection,  one  must  visit  the  snowy  ranges  and  lofty 
mountains  of  the  interior,  far  from  the  influence  of  the 
plains,  and  where  for  nearly  half  the  year  it  is  enveloped 
in  snow;  there  its  dimensions  become  gigantic."  It  is 
certainly  to  be  lamented  that  so  beautiful  a  tree  as  the 
Deodar  should  not  be  entirely  hardy  with  us.  It  possesses 
all  the  qualities  of  that  class  of  trees  denominated 
"  Weepers,"  and  in  its  whole  structure  it  appears  as  if 
Nature  had  endeavored  to  concentrate  all  the  desired 
qualities  of  the  Conifers  into  one. 

In  the  Deodar  Cedar  the  feathery  gracefulness  of  the 
Hemlock  is  combined  with  the  durability  of  the  Larch, 
and  the  form  of  the  Spruce  united  with  the  hue  of  the 
Mexican  Pines. 

Loudon  remarks :  "  The  feathery  lightness  of  its  spread- 
ing branches  and  the  beautiful  glaucous  hue  of  its  leaves 
render  it,  even  when  young,  one  of  the  most  ornamental 
of  coniferous  trees ;  and  all  the  travellers  who  have  seen 
it  full  grown,  agree  that  it  unites  an  extraordinary  degree 
of  majesty  and  grandeur  with  its  beauty." 

The  Deodar  Cedar  has  now  been  in  cultivation  in  many 
sections  of  our  country  for  several  years,  and  we  judge 
sufficiently  tested  in  all  soils  and  situations,  to  enable  us  to 
arrive  at  a  proper  estimate  of  its  worth  as  an  ornamental 
tree.  But  it  is  so  variable  in  different  soils  that  but  few 
persons  in  the  Middle  States  are  willing  to  pronounce  it* 
hardy;  and  yet,  in  particular  localities,  we  have  noticed 
fine  large  specimens  that  were  apparently  thriving  as  vig- 
orously as  could  be  desired,  even  after  having  passed 
through  two  exceedingly  severe  winters.  In  all  parts  of 
England  and  Scotland  it  grows  very  luxuriantly,  and  ap- 
pears perfectly  adapted  to  the  climate :  some  writers  assert- 
ing that  it  is  even  superior  in  hardiness  there  to  the  Cedar 
of  Lebanon. 

As  some  botanists  have  considered  the  Deodar  but  a 
10* 


226  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

variety  of  the  C.  Libani,  we  make  the  following  extracts 
from  the  Gardener's  Chronicle  in  reference  to  the  two: 
"  In  the  first  place,  it  is  to  be  observed  that  if  the  Cedar 
of  Lebanon  and  Deodar  are  sown  in  mixture,  the  seedlings 
are  unmistakably  different.  One  is  green,  stiff,  and  erect ; 
the  other  is  glaucous  and  drooping.  No  one,  we  believe, 
ever  saw  a  Cedar  of  Lebanon  with  its  seedling  stem  turned 
downwards ;  no  one,  a  Deodar  in  any  other  state. 

"  In  advanced  age,  the  difference  is  preserved;  the  .Cedar 
of  Lebanon  may  become  glaucous,  but  it  does  not  droop ; 
the  Deodar  may  become  green,  but  it  will  not  straighten 
its  leader ;  the  one  is  always  stiff  and  massive,  the  other 
light  and  graceful."  The  writer  then  points  out  the  dif- 
ferences in  the  wood  of  each,  referring  to  the  admirable 
durability  of  the  Deodar's  timber,  and  the  proneness  of  that 
of  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  to  decay.  He  also  mentions  the 
difference  in  the  cones ;  the  scales  of  those  produced  by 
the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  are  exceedingly  persistent,  whilst 
those  of  the  Deodar  drop  at  maturity. 

The  timber  of  the  Deodar  is  exceedingly  valuable  and 
lasting,  equalling  in  this  respect  that  of  the  Larch.  Loudon 
says  it  possesses  "  all  the  qualities  attributed  by  the  an- 
cients to  that  of  C.  Libani.  It  is  very  compact  and  resin- 
ous, and  has  a  fine,  fragrant,  refreshing  smell,  like  that 
observed  when  walking  in  pine  groves  towards  evening, 
or  in  moist  weather,  and  very  different  from  that  of  the 
Cedar  of  Lebanon.  Its  wood  has  a  remarkably  fine,  close 
grain,  capable  of  receiving  a  very  high  polish ;  so  much  so, 
indeed,  that  a  table  formed  of  a  section  of  a  trunk  nearly 
4  feet  in  diameter,  sent  by  Dr.  Wallich  to  Mr.  Lambert, 
has  been  compared  to  a  slab  of  brown  agate." 

Loudon  also  quotes  from  the  writings  of  others  in  regard 
to  its  durability,  and  extracts  a  description  from  Lambert's 
Pinus,  where  a  building  was  torn  down  that  was  estimated 
to  have  stood  for  225  years,  and  notwithstanding  the  great 
length  of  time,  the  timber,  which  was  of  the  Deodar,  was 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  227 

found  sufficiently  sound  to  use  in  erecting  a  new  house. 
Loudon  also  says :  "  It  is  regarded  by  the  Hindoos  as  a 
sacred  tree,  and  is  called  by  them  Devadera,  or  the  '  Tree 
of  God.'  In  some  places  it  is  highly  venerated,  and  never 
used  but  to  burn  as  incense  on  occasions  of  great  ceremony." 

The  following  varieties  are  mentioned  by  Gordon : 

Var.  Tiridis,  Hort. — Syn.  C.  D.  tenuifolia,  Knight. — 
Is  like  the  species  in  every  particular,  except  that  the 
foliage  is  of  a  light  green  tint,  without  any  glaucousness, 
and  the  habit  rather  more  slender. 

Var,  robust  a,  Hort. — Syn.  C.  D.  gigantea,  Knight. — 
The  only  difference  between  this  and  the  species  is  in  its 
larger  and  coarser  leaves  and  branches.  In  our  own  col- 
lection, a  specimen  planted  several  years  ago  is  not  very 
flourishing. 

Var,  crassi  folia.  Sort. — The  leaves  in  this  are  thicker 
and  shorter,  with  more  stiff,  compact  branches  than  those 
of  C.  Deodar  a  /  in  other  respects  they  are  alike. 

3,  C,  Lilian i9  Barretter. — CEDAR  OF  LEBANON. — Syn. 
Pinus  Cedrus,  Linnaeus  /  Larix  Cedrus,  Miller  /  Abies  Ce- 
drus,  Poiret. — Leaves,  from  f  to  1  inch  in  length,  acuminate, 
acute,  needle-form,  rigid,  few  in  the  fascicles,  and  deep- 
green  color.  Branches,  horizontal,  spreading,  verticillate, 
and  covered  with  rough  bark.  Cones,  from  3  to  5  inches 
long,  oval,  obtuse,  very  persistent,  grayish-brown  color; 
scales,  broad,  closely  appressed,  coriaceous,  thin,  truncate, 
and  slightly  denticulate  on  the  margin.  Seeds,  quite  large, 
irregular  in  form,  light-brown  color;  with  broad,  thin, 
membranaceous  wings.  Cotyledons,  G. 

This  magnificent  Conifer  is  interesting  from  the  fre- 
quency with  which  it  is  mentioned  in  the  sacred  writings. 

This  species,  says  Michaux,  was  believed  to  be  peculiar 
to  the  Mountains  of  Lebanon,  in  Asia  Minor,  until  Pallas 
discovered  it  in  the  north  of  Russia,  in  the  year  1770,  but 
Loudon  speaks  of  it  as  inhabiting  the  coldest  parts  of  the 
mountains  of  Libanus,  Amanus,  and  Taurus,  where  it  may 


228  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 


Fig.    25.— CEDRUS  LIBANI,   REDUCED   ONE-QUARTER. 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY. 


229 


now  be  found  in  great  numbers.  Michaux  says :  "  Modern 
travellers,  and  among  others  Mr.  Labillardiere,  who  visited 
that  part  of  the  East  in  1788,  inform,  us  that  the  large  for- 
ests seen  by  Belon,  in  1550,  upon  Mount  Aman,  have  dis- 
appeared, and  that  a  few  of  these  trees  only  are  found 
upon  the  highest,  where  they  grow  immediately  below 
the  snow  which  caps  the  summit  during  a  great  part  of 
the  year.  He  computes  their  number  at  about  100,  of 
which  he  observed  seven  of  extraordinary  size,  and  meas- 
ured one  that  was  30  feet  in  cir- 
cumference, with  the  primary 
limbs  9  or  10  inches  in  diameter. 
Standing  alone,  and  enjoying  the 
free  access  of  the  light  and  air, 
they  were  less  remarkable  for 
stature  than  for  expansion.  In 
massive  forests  they  probably  ob- 
tain a  height  proportioned  to  their 
diameter;  but  this  tree  has  al- 
ways been  remarked  for  the  length 
of  its  limbs,  as  is  shown  by  the 
allusion  of  the  Hebrew  poet: 
'They  shall  spread  out  their 
branches  like  the  Cedar.'  " 

J.  J.  Smith,  Esq.,  in  a  note  to  the  above  remarks,  says : 
"  M.  Laure,  an  officer  of  the  French  marine,  who,  with  the 
Prince  de  Joinville,  visited  Mount  Lebanon  in  1836,  says 
that  all  but  one  of  the  sixteen  old  Cedars  mentioned  by 
Belon  in  1550,  and  by  Maundrell  in  1696,  were  still  alive, 
although  in  a  decaying  state,  and  that  one  of  the  health- 
iest, but  perhaps  the  smallest  trunks,  measured  36  English 
feet  in  circumference." 

According  to  Michaux,  "  The  few  remaining  stocks  on 
Mount  Lebanon  are  preserved  with  religious  veneration  by 
the  Christians  of  that  country.  According  to  the  mission- 
aries in  the  East,  the  Patriarch  of  the  Maronite  Christians, 


Fig.    26.— CONE    OP      CEDRUS 
LIBANI,   ONE-HALF    SIZE. 


230  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

inhabiting  Mount  Lebanon,  attended  by  a  number  of 
bishops,  priests,  and  monks,  and  followed  by  5,000  or  6,000 
devotees,  annually  celebrate  in  their  shade  the  festival  of 
the  Transfiguration,  which  is  called  the  '  Feast  of  Cedars,' 
and  ecclesiastical  censures  are  denounced  against  those 

O 

who  shall  injure  these  consecrated  trees."  . 

In  this  country,  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  is  found  to  be 
pretty  generally  hardy,  excepting  in  a  few  instances  where 
the  trees  have  been  in  exposed  and  unfavorable  situations. 
With  us  it  has  succeeded  to  our  entire  satisfaction,  and  we 
can  therefore  recommend  it  without  reserve,  if  proper 
cultivation  and  a  moderate  amount  of  care  be  given  to  it. 
We  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  Cedar  of 
Lebanon,  in  light,  well-drained  soil,  will  ultimately  be  suc- 
cessful, if  the  growth  is  slow,  and,  in  consequence,  well 
ripened. 

In  England,  ever  since  the  year  1680,  when  it  was  first 
introduced,  it  has  given  universal  satisfaction,  and  the 
splendid  specimens  enumerated  by  London,  and  mentioned 
by  Downing,  are  of  large  size.  One  specimen  in  particular, 
at  Sion  House,  is  72  feet  high  and  24  feet  in  circumference ; 
and  as  a  proof  of  its  great  rapidity  of  growth,  three  spec- 
imens are  mentioned  which  made  an  increase  in  the  cir- 
cumference of  their  trunks  of  respectively  5  feet  1  inch,  3 
feet  9  inches,  and  3  feet  8  inches,  in  32  years.  These  trees 
were  growing  at  Hopetoun  House,  Scotland,  and  were 
planted  in  the  year  1748 ;  and  Michaux  mentions  that  100 
years  after  this  species  was  introduced  into  England,  two 
of  these  original  specimens,  growing  in  the  medical  gar- 
dens  at  Chelsea,  near  London,  were  upwards  of  12^-  feet  in 
circumference  at  2  feet  from  the  ground,  and  extended 
their  limbs  more  than  20  feet  in  every  direction.  The  fine 
stock  of  trees  now  becoming  so  plentiful  in  that  country 
were  grown  from  seed  furnished  by  these  old  plants. 

The  ornamental  character  of  this  tree  is  of  the  highest 
order,  but  it  should  invariably  be  grown  singly,  and  never 


THE  PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  231 

in  groups  on  a  highly  cultivated  lawn.  The  form  of  the 
tree,  when  young,  is  regularly  conical,  with  widely  spread- 
ing, verticillate  branches,  and  foliage  of  a  rich  deep-green. 
As  the  tree  increases  with  age,  it  loses  the  conical  form 
and  gradually  assumes  the  tabular,  with  a  somewhat 
rounded,  open  head;  and  this  change  causes  a  different 
effect  to  be  produced — a  change  from  the  beautiful  to  the 
picturesque. 

A  -writer  in  the  London  Horticultural  Magazine,  in  an 
article  entitled  "Sacred  and  Classical  Planting,"  thus 
speaks  of  this  tree  for  that  purpose :  "  Gazing  upon  this 
object,  the  reflections  which  it  excites  are  numerous.  It 
was  seen  from  Jerusalem,  casting  a  weight  of  glory  over 
the  lofty  mountains  which  environed  that  city  like  a  mag- 
nificent rampart.  It  grew  on  that  site  whence  the  eye 
commanded  a  spectacle  more  glorious,  perhaps,  than  was 
ever  enjoyed  from  any  other  spot  on  the  globe,  embracing 
a  view  almost  without  interruption  from  the  waters  of  the 
Mediterranean  to  the  confines  of  the  Persian  Gulf. 

"  In  its  living  state,  the  Cedar,  no  doubt,  conferred  a 
very  peculiar  and  striking  character  to  the  scenery  of  the 
East;  its  depth  of  green  and  the  disposition  of  its 
branches  rendering  it  for  glory  and  beauty,  unequalled 
amongst  all  the  objects  of  the  vegetable  kingdom." 

The  timber  of  the  0.  Libani  was  considered  by  the 
sacred  historians  more  durable  and  lasting  than  any  other, 
but  if  the  opinion  entertained  by  Prof.  Martyn  and 
others  should  be  correct,  the  ancients  confounded  several 
species,  and  described  other  trees  belonging  to  distinct 
genera  under  the  one  name  of  Cedar.  The  Cedar  of  Leb- 
anon, as  known  at  the  present  day,  is  inodorous,  soft,  and 
very  perishable. 

Van  liana,  London. — We  have  had  this  pretty  dwarf 
variety  in  cultivation,  but  from  some  unknown  cause  we 
could  not  induce  it  to  thrive.  It  has  quite  diminutive 


232  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEBGKEENS. 

leaves,  and  short,  stubby  branchlets.  Its  height  is  about  3 
or  4  feet. 

Var.  argcntciS;  London. — This  author  says  the  leaves 
of  this  variety  are  of  a  silvery  hue  on  both  sides,  and 
Gordon  says,  contrast  well  in  old  trees  with  the  more 
common  form  with  green  foliage. 

Var.  pendula,  Knight.— Gordon  says,  "This  variety 
has  slenderer  and  more  pendulous  branches  than  the  com- 
mon Cedar  of  Lebanon." 


4.— CUtf  flltfGIIAiniA,  R.  Brown. 

Flowers,  monoecious,  on  different  branches ;  male  aments, 
terminal,  in  dense  clusters,  and  numerous,  with  the  stamens 
closely  imbricated  at  first,  but  finally  more  separated,  and 
the  anthers  with  a  slender,  filiform  footstalk,  expanded  at 
the  apex  into  a  pointed,  yellowish,  semi-orbicular  scale  or 
appendix ;  female  aments,  solitary,  or  clustered,  terminal, 
sessile,  pale  yellow.  Cones,  smallish,  globose,  or  ovate, 
and  persistent.  Scales,  small,  (scarcely  perceptible);  with 
large,  coriaceous,  serrulated  bracts.  Seeds,  three,  attached 
to  the  base  of  a  scale,  ovate  elliptical,  with  a  membran- 
aceous  wing. 

This  genus  contains  but  one  species,  which  closely  re- 
sembles the  Araucaria  in  general  appearance,  but  is  very 
distinct  botanically.  According  to  Loudon,  it  was  "  named 
by  Mr.  Brown  in  honor  of  Mr.  James  Cunningham,  an 
excellent  observer  in  his  time,  by  whom  this  plant  was 
discovered ;  and  in  honor  of  Mr.  Allan  Cunningham,  the 
very  deserving  botanist  who  accompanied  Mr.  Oxley  in 
his  first  expedition  into  the  interior  of  New  South  Wales, 
and  Captain  King  in  all  his  voyages  of  survey  of  the  coast 
of  New  Holland." 

A  curious  feature  in  the  morphology  of  the  cones  of 


THE   PINE   SUE-FAMILY.  233 

this  genus  is  the  large  bract,  or  quasi-scale,  which  has  until 
recently  been  mistaken  for  the  true  scale,  the  latter  being 
of  very  small  size,  in  fact  a  mere  transverse  ridge  inside 
the  bract,  near  the  base  of  the  latter,  and  observable  just 
above  the  seeds,  adherent  to,  but  overgrown  by  the  bract. 
This  interesting  and  curious  formation  was  perhaps  first 
detected  by  Richard,  in  his  "  Memoires  sur  les  Coniferes," 
who  decided  that  what  at  first  appeared  to  be  the  scale, 
was  in  reality  the  bract.  Siebold  differed  from  him, 
but  has  never  satisfactorily  proven  his  theory  to  be  in- 
correct. Murray  follows  Richard,  and  states  additional 
facts  to  prove  his  view  correct. 

C.  SinensiSj  JR.  Brown. — Syn.  Abies  major  Sinensis, 
PluJcenet ;  Pinus  Abies,  Loureiro  ;  Abies  lanceolata, 
Persoon,  Desfontaines,  and  Wildenow  •  Belis  jaculifera, 
Salisbury;  Belis  lanceolata,  Sweet;  Pinus  lanceolata,  Lam- 
bert;  Cunninghamia  lanceolata,  Van  Houtte. — Leaves, 
from  1|-  to  2  inches  long,  lanceolate,  sessile,  acuminate, 
alternate,  flat,  deflexed,  rigid,  coriaceous,  somewhat  serru- 
late, very  numerous,  bright-green  above,  slightly  glaucous 
below.  Cones,  from  1  to  1|-  inches  long,  ovate-globose, 
erect,  very  persistent,  mostly  clustered,  sessile ;  scale,  very 
small  and  obscure,  a  mere  transverse  ridge  adherent  to 
the  bract;  bracts,  large,  prominent,  serrulated,  in  form 
like  that  of  a  dilated  leaf,  triangularly  hastate,  concave 
and  unguiculate  at  the  apex.  Seeds,  ovate-elliptical,  com- 
pressed, and  surrounded  by  a  membranaceous  wing. 
Cotyledons,  2,  oblong-obtuse. 

This  handsome  tree  is  a  native  of  the  warmer  portions 
of  China,  rarely  exceeding  30  or  40  feet  in  height,  although 
specimens  have  been  met  with  that  measured  50  feet.  In 
England,  it  is  considered  entirely  hardy,  and  with  us  it 
usually  flourishes  very  freely,  but  changes  to  a  dingy  hue 
during  the  winter  months,  which  the  mild  days  of  spring 
quickly  restore  to  its  original  bright,  glossy-green  color. 
We  find  it  succeeding  indifferently  in  many  places,  al- 
though we  can  point  to  specimens  around  Philadelphia  of 
fine  size. 


234 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  235 

An  excellent  specimen  in  the  Evans  arboretum,  at 
Radnor,  is  now  10  or  12  feet  in  height,  and  perfectly  satis- 
factory. It  stands,  however,  in  a  very  favorable  situa- 
tion, being  on  the  southern  declivity  of  a  thickly  wooded 
hill,  and  therefore  protected  from,  the  cold,  high  winds. 
The  best  specimen  we  have  ever  seen  was  growing  in  our 
own  collection,  but  very  mysteriously  died  on  the  approach 
of  warm  weather  two  or  three  years  since.  This  fine  plant 
was  about  8  feet  high,  and  had  been  exposed  in  the  open 
ground  for  several  years,  with  a  slight  covering  during  the 
winter.  The  situation  was  exceedingly  bleak  and  unsuit- 
able, but  younger  plants  in  other  portions  of  our  ground 
remained  uninjured. 

The  great  drawback  to  the  culture  of  this  tree  is  in  its 
luxuriant  growth,  which,  in  rich  soils,  is  liable  to  be  of  a 
succulent  nature,  and  therefore  unable  to  survive  the 
winter.  We  must,  however,  give  it  the  credit  of  being 
quite  as  reliable  as  the  majority  of  the  so-called  uncertain 
Conifers. 

The  Cunninghamia,  when  planted  singly  on  a  lawn, 
presents  one  of  the  most  agreeable  objects  imaginable, 
the  main  body  of  the  tree  being  as  straight  as  an  arrow, 
with  the  branches  diverging  horizontally  in  regular  whorls 
or  verticils,  and  the  branchlets  produced  in  two  rows, 
which  droop  very  gracefully.  The  foliage  is  of  a  peculiar 
bright  glossy  green,  that  is  quite  unusual  and  particularly 
pleasing.  Its  near  resemblance  to  the  Araucarias,  a  genus 
which  we  are  debarred  from  enjoying  fully,  is  also  an 
additional  incentive  for  endeavoring  to  cultivate  this  splen- 
did tree. 

In  Fortune's  de'scription  of  the  trees  of  China,  he  men- 
tions the  Cunninghamia  as  follows  :  "  The  sides  of  the 
mountains  here  were  clothed  with  dense  woods  of  the 
Lance-leaved  Pine,  ( Cunninghamia  lanceolata.)  This 
was  the  first  time  I  had  seen  this  Fir  tree  of  sufficient  size 
to  render  it  of  value  for  timber.  Many  of  the  specimens 


236  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

were  at  least  80  feet  in  height,  and  perfectly  straight. 
There  was  a  richness,  too,  in  the  appearance  of  its  foliage, 
which  I  had  never  seen  before ;  sometimes  it  was  of  a 
deep  green  color,  while  at  others  it  was  of  a  bluish  tint. 
There  are  doubtless  many  varieties  of  this  tree  among 
these  hills." 

Var,  glaiica,  Sort. — Gordon  says :  "  This  variety  dif- 
fers from  the  species  in  having  its  leaves  on  the  branchlets 
of  a  glaucous  color." 


5.— SCIADOPITYS,  Siebold  &  Zuccarini. 

Flowers,  monoecious;  male  aments,  sessile,  terminal, 
ovato-globose,  and  surrounded  with  scales  at  the  base, 
with  numerous,  closely  imbricated,  alternate  stamens,  hav- 
ing smooth,  short  filaments ;  female  aments,  when  young, 
sessile,  but  at  maturity,  with  a  short  peduncle  and  numer- 
ous persistent,  coriaceous,  glabrous,  entire,  semi-orbicular 
scales,  and  from  7  to  9  ovules.  Cones,  elliptic  or  cylindri- 
cal, large,  obtuse ;  with  coriaceous,  persistent,  wedge- 
shaped  scales,  and  short,  broad  bracts,  adhering  thereunto. 
Seeds,  from  7  to  9  under  each  scale,  imbricated,  elliptical, 
compressed  into  a  membranaceous  wing. 

This  new  and  rare  genus  has  lately  been  discovered  in 
the  mountains  of  Japan,  and  is  very  distinct  in  appearance 
from  all  others  of  the  Conifers.  But  one  species  is  as  yet 
known  to  botanists,  and  that  forms  a  tall  tree  with  very 
curious,  whorled  branches,  and  verticilled  leaves. 

As  the  few  plants  in  this  country  are  as  yet  compara- 
tively untested  in  the  open  air,  we  cannot  determine  its 
powers  of  endurance,  but  we  confidently  believe  that  it 
will  grow  here  with  at  least  tolerable  success. 

The  name  is  derived  from  two  Greek  words,  signifying 
umbel  and  pine-tree. 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY. 


237 


Fig.  28. — SCIADOPITYS  VERTICILLATA.— LEAVES  AND  BUD  ONE-HALF 
SIZE  ;   CONE  OF  NATURAL  SIZE. 


238  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

S.  TCrticillata,  Siebold &  Zuccarim. — UMBRELLA  PINE. 
— Syn.  Taxus  verticillata,  Thunberg  ;  Pinus  verticillatn, 
Siebold  in  Verhandl. — Leaves,  from  2  to  4  inches  long,  2 
lines  wide,  linear,  obtuse,  smooth,  persistent,  sessile,  entire, 
in  whorls  of  30  or  40,  at  the  nodes  and  extremities  of  the 
branches.  Cones,  3  inches  long,  1^-  inches  in  diameter,  el- 
liptic-cylindrical, obtuse,  solitary ;  with  wedge-shaped,  cor- 
rugated, imbricated,  coriaceous  and  persistent  scales; 
bracts,  adherent,  broad,  and  glabrous.  Seeds,  compressed, 
elliptical,  with  a  membranaceous,  brown  testa,  and  mem- 
branaceous  wing. 

A  tall,  conical  tree,  varying  from  80  to  140  feet  in 
height,  with  alternate  or  verticillate  branches,  and  the 
leaves  in  whorls  or  verticils.  Murray  remarks:  "Mr. 
Gordon,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Fortune,  says  it  reaches 
from  100  to  150  feet  in  height.  Siebold  describes  it  as 
only  12  or  15  feet  in  height ;  but  this  is  a  mistake,  arising, 
no  doubt,  from  his  having  seen  only  some  of  the  smaller 
plants."  The  same  writer  observes :  "It  is  a  pyramidal 
tree  with  dense  foliage,  and  Mr.  Veitch  informs  us  reaches 
the  height  of  70  or  80  feet ; "  also  that  it  is  "  found  wild 
in  the  eastern  parts  of  Nippon,  on  the  Koya  ridge  of 
mountains  in  the  province  of  lEiusiu,  or,  as  Siebold  writes 
it,  on  Mt.  IKojasan,  in  the  province  of  Kii.  According 
to  him  it  should  also  be  found  in  some  other  parts  of  that 
island,  and  of  the  island  of  SiJcofc.  It  is,  however,  chiefly 
in  a  state  of  cultivation  that  it  is  met  with,  its  varieties 
being  great  favorites  with  the  Japanese,  and  planted  ex- 
tensively in  their  gardens  and  about  their  temples." 

The  Sciadopitys  in  the  Bagshot  nursery,  England,  in  a 
bleak  and  unsheltered  situation,  has  withstood  the  past  one 
or  two  winters  without  the  slightest  sign  of  being  affect- 
ed by  the  cold,  although  the  weather  was  extremely  trying 
to  those  plants  which  are  not  perfectly  hardy. 

Some  of  the  English  growers  who  have  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  judging  of  its  merits,  consider  it  "  one  of  the 
finest  Conifers  of  Japan,  or,  after  the  Deodar,  of  all  Asia." 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  239 

We  noticed  young  plants  of  this  new  candidate  for 
popular  favor  in  the  extensive  collection  at  Wodenethe, 
on  the  Hudson,  a  year  or  two  since,  and  our  American  cul- 
tivators will  no  doubt  soon  be  informed  of  its  success. 
Many  writers  011  Japanese  plants  are  quite  sanguine  in  re- 
gard to  the  hardiness  of  this  plant  in  our  country. 


6.— SEQUOIA,  EndlicJier. 

Flowers,  monoecious,  terminal,  solitary.  Sterile  aments 
globular,  on  short,  slender  peduncles.  Cones,  oval  or 
globular,  with  wedge-shaped,  persistent  scales.  Seeds 
winged,  and  from  3  to  5  under  each  carpellary  scale. 

This  magnificent  genus  comprises  two  very  distinct  spe- 
cies, both  of  which  are  natives  of  California,  one  of  them 
being  occasionally  found  more  to  the  northward.  Since  the 
discovery  of  the  species  known  as  the  "  Great  Tree  of 
California,"  it  has  been  attempted  to  give  the  genus  other 
and  inappropriate  names ;  the  name  of  Sequoia  had  been 
previously  established  by  Endlicher.  Only  a  few,  in  the 
face  of  all  botanical  rules,  still  persist  in  their  absurd  no- 
menclature. 

The  derivation  of  the  name  Sequoia  is  uncertain,  but  a 
recent  writer  in  the  "  Gardener's  Monthly "  argues  very 
forcibly  that  its  origin  might  have  been  from  the  celebrated 
Cherokee  Chief  " See-qua-yah"  whose  life  has  been  spent 
in  endeavoring  to  enlighten  his  race  by  inventing  an  origi- 
nal alphabet,  and  by  the  introduction  of  mechanical  con- 
trivances and  useful  implements  for  their  benefit. 

1.  S.  gigantea,  Zorrey.  --  GREAT  TREE  or  CALI- 
FORNIA.— Syn.  "Wellingtonia  gigantea,  Lindley,  Gordon^ 
etc. ;  Washingtonia  gigantea,  Kellogg. — Leaves  on  the 
young  shoots,  spreading,  needle-shaped,  sharp-pointed, 


240 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVEKGEEENS. 


Fig.  29.— SEQUOIA  GIGA-N-TEA.— NATURAL  SIZE. 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  241 

scattered  spirally  around  the  branchlets;  finally  scale- 
shaped,  imbricated,  mostly  appressed,  with  generally  an 
acute  apex ;  numerous,  and  persistent,  light  green  color. 
Branches,  horizontal,  and  spreading.  Cones  2  Inches  long, 
ovate,  terminal,  solitary ;  with  numerous,  prickled,  stipi- 
tate,  scales.  Cotyledons,  from  3  or  4  to  6. 

This  species  is  a  native  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  range 
of  mountains  in  California.  As  its  discovery  has 
been  conceded  to  several  persons,  we  are  unable  to  say 
with  any  certainty  to  who'm  belongs  the  honor.  The 
English  naturalist  Lobb  is  supposed  by  many  to  have  first 
met  with  it  near  the  source  of  the  river  Stanislaus,  and 
other  writers  attribute  its  discovery  to  Douglas,  in  the 
year  1831 ;  but  perhaps  the  most  probable  statement  is 
the  one  generally  believed  throughout  the  section  of  coun- 
try of  which  these  trees  are  natives,  and  is,  that  a  com- 
pany of  miners  on  a  prospecting  tour  came  accidentally 
upon  the  Calaveras  group,  and  the  trees  became  thence- 
forth the  wonder  of  the  botanical  world.,  One  of  *  the 
best  descriptions  of  this  species  is  given  by  Bayard  Taylor, 
in  his  interesting  work  entitled  "  Home  and  Abroad." 

After  a  graphic  account  of  the  immense  size  of  these 
vegetable  giants,  he  describes  the  felling  of  one  of  the 
largest  specimens,  which  was  a  mass  of  solid  wood  ninety 
feet  in  circumference,  and  was  performed  by  two  sets  of 
hands  with  the  aid  of  long  pump-augers.  We  give  the 
description  in  the  author's  own  words.  "  After  a  steady 
labor  of  six  weeks  the  thing  was  done,  but  the  tree  stood 
unmoved ;  so  straight  and  symmetrical  was  its  growth,  so 
immense  its  weight,  and  so  broad  its  base,  that  it  seemed 
unconscious  of  its  own  annihilation,  tossing  its  outer 
branches  derisively  against  the  mountain  winds  that  strove 
to  overthrow  it.  A  neighboring  pine  of  giant  size  was 
then  selected,  and  felled  in  such  a  way  as  to  fall  with  full 
force  against  it.  The  top  shook  a  little,  but  the  shaft 
stood  as  before  ;^  finally  the  spoilers  succeeded  in  driving 
11 


242  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

their  wedges  into  the  cut.  Gradually  and  with  great 
labor  one  side  of  the  tree  was  lifted ;  the  line  of  equilib- 
rium was  driven  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  edge  of  the  base ; 
the  mighty  mass  poised  for  a  moment,  and  then,  with  a 
great  rushing  sigh  in  all  its  boughs,  thundered  down. 
The  forest  was  ground  to  dust  beneath  it,  and  for  a  mile 
around  the  earth  shook  with  the  concussion." 

According  to  the  annual  rings,  the  age  of  this  tree  was 
3,100  years,  and  it  contained-250,000  feet  of  timber.  The 
stump  is  now  used  for  a  ball-room,  and  the  trunk  for  a 
bowling  alley.  Dr.  Bigelow  says  of  this  specimen :  "  It 
required  31  of  my  paces  of  3  feet  each  to  measure  thus 
rudely  its  circumference  at  the  stump ;  and  the  mere  fel- 
ling of  it  cost,  at  California  prices  for  wages,  the  sum  of 
$550." 

When  we  consider  the  sublime  proportions  of  these 
wonderful  creations  of  nature,  all  other  large  trees  must 
sink  into  perfect  insignificance  in  the  comparison.  Just 
imagine  a  man  on  horseback  riding  a  distance  of  75  feet 
in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  and  emerging  from  a  knot-hole  in 
the  side.  In  fact  no  description  can  possibly  convey  an 
adequate  idea  of  the  majesty  of  these  vegetable  wonders. 
"  Indeed,"  says  Dr.  Bigelow,  "  these  giants  of  the  forest 
are  so  marked  in  their  rusty  habits  from  their  present  as- 
sociates, that  we  can  hardly  view  them  in  their  present  re- 
lations, except  as  links  connecting  us  with  ages  so  long 
past  that  they  seem  but  reminiscences  of  an  eternal  by- 
gone. They  seem  to  require  but  the  process  of  petrifac- 
tion to  establish  a  complete  paleontological  era." 

Professor  Brewer,  in  a  communication  to  Sir  William 
Hooker,  thus  speaks  of  the  Great  Tree  of  California :  "  An 
interesting  discovery  this  year  has  been  of  the  existence 
of  the  big  trees  in  great  abundance  on  the  western  flanks 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  in  about  lat.  36°  or  37°.  They  are 
very  abundant  along  a  belt  at  5,000  to  7,000  feet  altitude, 
for  a  distance  of  more  than  25  miles,  sometimes  in  groves, 


THE  PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  243 

at  others  scattered  through  forests  in  great  numbers. 
You  can  have  no  idea  of  the  grandeur  they  impart  to  the 
scenery,  where  at  times  a  hundred  trees  are  in  sight  at 
once,  over  15  feet  in  diameter,  their  rich  foliage  constrast- 
ing  so  finely  with  their  bright  cinnamon-colored  bark.  I 
found  trees  larger  than  they  occur  further  north,  (in  the 
Calaveras  and  Maipula  groves.)  The  largest  tree  I  saw 
was  106  feet  in  circumference,  at  4  feet  from  the  ground. 
It  had  lost  some  buttresses  by  fire ;  it  must  have  been  at 
least  115  or  120  feet  when  entire  ;  it  is  276  feet  high.  The 
Indians  tell  of  a  much  higher  tree,  which  I  did  not  see. 

"  There  seems  no  danger  of  the  speedy  extinction  of  the 
species,  as  it  is  now  known  in  quite  a  number  of  localities, 
and,  contrary  to  the  popular  notion,  there  are  immense 
numbers  of  younger  trees  of  all  sizes,  from  the  seedling 
up  to  the  largest.  There  has  been  much  nonsense  and  er- 
ror published  regarding  them.  I  have  no  doubt  of  the 
true  generic  relations.  I  think  that  no  one  who  is  familiar 
with  both  species  in  situ  would  separate  them  generically 
from  the  Sequoia  semper virens,  also  in  abundance  in  this 
State,  and  fully  as  restricted  in  its  distribution ;  nor  do  I 
think  the  names  of  Wellingtonia  and  Washingtonia  can 
be  duly  respected." 

We  were  greatly  in  hopes  of  being  able  to  entirely  ac- 
climate this  beautiful  species,  but  although  it  generally 
manages  to  live,  most  specimens  that  have  come  under  our 
notice  are  not  healthy  in  appearance.  The  luxuriant 
growth  late  in  the  season,  so  common  in  trees  from  the 
Pacific  coast,  is  the  great  drawback  to  its  successful  culti- 
vation with  us.  A  slight  covering  with  evergreen  boughs 
during  the  winter  months  is  absolutely  necessary  to  insure 
the  vitality  of  the  leading  shoot.  Perhaps  the  finest 
specimens  to  be  found  in  the  Northern  States  are  growing 
in  the  extensive  collection  of  Ellwanger  &  Barry,  at 
Rochester,  N".  Y. 

This  species  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  transplant,  more 


244  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

so,  in  fact,  than  any  Conifer  we  have  tested.  In  many  in- 
stances where  the  plant  has  not  been  immediately  killed 
by  the  remoral,  the  lower  branches  have  been  disfigured 
and  the  outline  entirely  destroyed.  Great  care  should 
consequently  be  taken  in  the  operation,  and  the  roots  al- 
ways preserved  from  undue  exposure  to  the  air.  The 
names  that  have  been  applied  to  this  tree  are  remarkable 
illustrations  of  departure  from  the  accepted  rules  of  bo- 
tanical nomenclature.  Lindley,  against  both  rule  and 
taste,  called  it  Wellingtonia  gigantea.  Kellogg,  of  Cali- 
fornia, not  willing  that  a  California  tree  should  bear  the 
name  of  a  British  soldier,  with  equal  impropriety  called  it 
Washingtoma  gigantea  /  Americanus  gigantea  has  also 
been  proposed.  Doct.  Torrey  plainly  showed  that  it  be- 
longed to  the  old  genus  Sequoia,  and  most  English  botan- 
ists now  admit  that  it  is  properly  placed  here ;  but  instead 
of  accepting  Torrey's  specific  name,  gigantea,  they  now 
call  the  tree  Sequoia  Wellingtonia,  which  is  quite  at  va- 
riance with  accepted  rules. 

2.  S.  sempervirens,  jEndlicher. — RED-WX>OD.  —  Syn. 
Taxodium  sempervirens,  Lambert. — Leaves,  from  ^  to  an 
inch  long,  linear,  smooth,  distichous,  flat,  acute,  coriaceous, 
dark  shining  green,  glaucous  beneath.  Branches,  numer- 
ous, horizontal,  and  spreading.  Cones,  1  inch  long,  round- 
ish, solitary,  and  terminal,  with  numerous,  thick,  rough, 
trapezoidal  scales,  furnished  with  a  strong,  obtuse  point, 
and  terminating  below  in  a  stout,  angular  pedicel.  Seeds, 
from  3  to  5  under  each  scale. 

This  species  is  also  a  magnificent  tree,  and  is  much  more 
plentiful  than  the  preceding,  and  also  occupies  a  more 
extended  range  of  country.  It  was  first  discovered  by 
Menzies  on  our  north-west  coast  in  the  year  1796,  and  sub- 
sequently by  Dr.  Coulter  in  1836,  and  by  Hartweg  at  a 
more  recent  date.  The  latter  explorer  mentions  finding 
specimens  of  this  tree  270  feet  in  height,  with  a  clean 
trunk  60  or  70  feet  high,  growing  on  the  mountains  of 


THE   PIXE    SUB-FAMILY.  245 

Santa  Cruz  above  Monterey.  Douglas  says  lie  repeatedly 
measured  specimens  270  feet  long  and  32  feet  in  circum- 
ference, at  3  feet  from  the  ground,  and  others  that  even 
exceeded  300  feet  in  height. 

He  thus  alludes  to  the  immense  size  of  these  trees : 
"  But  the  great  beauty  of  the  Californian  vegetation  is  a 
species  of  Taxodium  which  gives  the  mountains  a  most 
peculiar,  I  was  almost  going  to  say  awful,  appearance; 
something  which  plainly  tells  we  are  not  in  Europe."  A 
horizontal  slab  sawn  from  this  species  was  received,  from 
Dr.  Fischer,  which  he  mentions  as  containing  1,008  annual 
rings  and  measuring  15  feet  in  diameter.  A  specimen  has 
been  found  that  was  55  feet  in  circumference,  6  feet  from 
the  ground ;  its  enormous  magnitude  having  given  rise  to 
the  name  of  "  The  G-iant  of  the  Forest." 

We  only  introduce  this  species  in  this  place  for  the  pur- 
pose of  noticing  one  of  our  finest  native  trees ;  for  unfortu- 
nately it  will  not  thrive  in  the  Middle  States.  Our  mild- 
est winters  in  this  latitude  almost  invariably  kill  it  down 
to  the  snow-line,  and  not  unfrequently  the  whole  plant 
perishes.  At  Washington  and  Baltimore  it  succeeds  very 
indifferently,  as  it  requires  a  still  more  genial  temperature 
than  these  localities  afford. 

Where  it  flourishes,  the  Californian  Red-wood  forms  a 
magnificent  tree,  making  annually  the  most  astonishingly 
vigorous  growths,  and  is  clothed  with  a  peculiar  deep  green 
foliage  that  is  unusually  handsome.  The  timber  is  of  a 
handsome  red  color,  fine  and  close-grained,  but  light  and 
brittle,  and  never  attacked  by  insects. 


7.— I, Alt IX,  Tournefort.— LARCH. 

"  Catkins,  lateral  and  scattered,  bud-like,  sterile  flowers 
nearly  as  in  Pinus,  but  the  pollen  of  simple  spherical  grains. 
Cones,  ovoid,  erect;  the  bracts  and  scales,  persistent; 


246  THE   BOOK   OP   EVERGREENS. 

otherwise  as  in  Abies.  Leaves  deciduous,  soft,  all  folia- 
ceous;  the  primary  ones  scattered;  the  secondary  very 
manv  in  a  fascicle  developed  in  early  spring  from  lateral, 
scaly,  and  globular  buds.  Fertile  catkins  crimson  or  red 
in  flower." — (Gray.} 

The  Larch  is  one  of  the  few  genera  belonging  to  the 
Conifers  that  have  deciduous  leaves ;  but  it  is  nevertheless 
capable  of  producing  the  same  effects  in  planting,  and  is 
subject  to  the  same  rules  in  regard  to  removal,  soil,  etc., 
as  govern  those  with  evergreen  or  persistent  leaves.  The 
genus  comprises  but  few  species,  which  are  natives  of  the 
colder  regions  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America. 

As  ornamental  trees,  the  Larches  have  long  been  favor- 
ites with  our  planters  on  account  of  their  regular  conical 
form,  slender,  delicate  branches,  soft,  light-green  leaves, 
and  their  perfect  hardiness ;  but  we  too  frequently  notice 
the  entire  absence  of  taste  displayed  in  the  indiscriminate 
use  of  them.  There  is  no  tree  that  requires  more  judg- 
ment in  selecting  its  proper  locality  for  planting  than  the 
Larch. 

The  trees  are  picturesque,  and  especially  adapted  to 
those  bold,  wild  landscapes,  which  we  occasionally  find  in 
large  plantations ;  but  to  use  them  indiscriminately  on  a 
small,  highly  cultivated  lawn,  is  the  opposite  of  good  taste. 
Downing  says : 

"  For  picturesque  beauty,  the  Larch  is  almost  unrivalled. 
Unlike  most  other  trees,  which  must  grow  old,  uncouth, 
and  misshapen,  before  they  can  attain  that  expression, 
this  is  singularly  so,  as  soon  almost  as  it  begins  to  assume 
the  stature  of  a  tree.  It  can  never  be  called  a  beautiful 
tree,  so  far  as  beauty  consists  in  smooth  outlines,  a  finely 
rounded  head,  or  gracefully  drooping  branches.  But  it 
has  what  is  perhaps  more  valuable,  as  being  more  rare — 
the  expression  of  boldness  and  picturesqueness  peculiar  to 
itself,  and  which  it  seems  to  have  caught  from  the  wild  and 
rugged  chasms,  rocks,  and  precipices  of  its  native  moun- 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  247 

tains.  Then  its  irregular  and  spiry  top  and  branches  har- 
monize admirably  with  the  abrupt  variation  of  the  sur- 
rounding hills,  and  suit  well  with  the  gloomy  grandeur  of 
those  frowning  heights." 

Being  a  rapid-growing,  hardy  tree,  the  Larch  is  inval- 
uable for  newly  planted  places ;  but  its  greatest  fault,  and 
perhaps  its  only  one,  is  the  difficulty  experienced  in  re- 
moving it.  True,  many  persons  are  entirely  satisfied  if 
their  trees  show  any  signs  of  vitality  after  undergoing  a 
rough,  careless  removal ;  but  the  real  lover  of  trees  prefers 
having  them  retain  all  their  lower  branches,  and  preserve 
that  luxuriance  of  vegetation,  so  peculiar  to  the  genus. 
This  is  only  obtained  by  removal  when  small,  at  a  proper 
season,  and  in  the  most  careful  manner.  Unlike  the  trees 
of  the  other  genera  of  the  family,  the  Larch  must  be 
transplanted  very  early,  on  account  of  the  propensity  of 
the  buds  to  start  into  action  after  a  few  mild  days  in  the 
spring.  If  delayed  for  some  time  after  this  takes  place, 
the  destruction  of  the  tree  is  almost  certain. 

The  timber  of  the  Larch  is  very  valuable,  on  account  of 
its  durability,  exceeding  in  this  respect  almost  any  other 
kind.  The  u  Venice  turpentine  "  is  extracted  from  a  Larch, 
as  is  a  substance  known  as  the  "  Manna  of  Briancon." 

1.  L.  Americana,  Michaux. — AMERICAN,  OR  BLACK 
LAKCH. — Syn.  Pinus  pendula,  Alton ;  Pinus  microcarpa, 
Lambert. — Leaves  from  -J-  to  f-  of  an  inch  long,  thread-like, 
linear ;  slender,  light  bluish-green  color.  Branches,  less 
numerous  than  in  the  European  species,  spreading,  droop- 
ing, and  in  whorls.  Cones,  from  £  to  f  of  an  inch  in  length, 
ovoid,  and  of  a  reddish  color ;  scales,  few,  slightly  reflexed, 
and  rounded.  Seeds,  very  minute,  with  short  wings. 

Although  not  equalling  in  beauty  the  European  Larch, 
according  to  our  ideas  of  form,  we  must  nevertheless  rec- 
ommend our  native  species  for  hardiness,  rapid  growth, 
picturesque  habit,  and  other  good  qualities. 

It  is  emphatically  a  northern  tree,  being  never  found 


248  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

south  of  the  upper  portion  of  Virginia,  and  even  in  those 
localities  only  in  exposed  mountainous  districts,  in  moist, 
swampy  soil.  In  the  northern  portion  of  its  district,  in 
Canada,  etc.,  it  is  known  as  the  Hackmatack;  in  the 
southern  portion,  in  New  Jersey,  etc.,  as  the  Tamarack  y 
but  the  most  desirable  and  appropriate  name  is  American 
Larch,  which,  with  the  Slack  Larch,  is  universally  un- 
derstood. It  is  the  Epinette  rouge  of  the  French  Cana- 
dians, thus  perhaps  giving  rise  to  the  name  of  Red 
Larch,  which  was  described  by  Loudon  as  a  variety,  L. 
Americana  rubra,  and  adopted  by  Lambert  as  a  species, 
L.  microcarpa.  According  to  Gray,  it  is  probably  only 
a  variety,  which  change  of  climate  may  diversify  into  other 
forms. 

This  species  was  remarked  by  Michaux  to  grow  on  up- 
lands, in  the  colder  and  more  northern  districts,  and  in 
low,  moist  ground,  as  it  advanced  further  south,  and  he 
reasoned  that  this  peculiarity  was  owing  to  its  constitu- 
tion being  better  adapted  to  extreme  cold,  and  that  the 
climate  of  the  United  States  was  too  warm  for  it.  In  cul- 
tivation, however,  we  have  found  it  to  succeed  on  almost 
any  soil,  and  in  moist,  deep  soil  making  immense  annual 
growths  of  occasionally  5  or  6  feet. 

According  to  Mathew,  in  London's  Arboretum,  "  The 
soils  suitable  for  Larch  are  sound  rock,  covered  with  loam ; 
gravel,  not  ferruginous,  in  which  water  does  not  stagnate, 
even  though  nearly  bare  of  vegetable  mould ;  firm  dry 
clays ;  and  sound  broAvn  loam — all  very  rough  ground,  par- 
ticularly ravines.  The  most  desirable  situation  is  where 
the  roots  will  neither  be  drowned  by  stagnant  water  in 
winter,  nor  parched  by  drought  in  summer." 

In  regard  to  the  quality  of  the  timber  of  the  American 
Larch,  Michaux  says :  "  It  is  superior  to  any  species  of 
Pine  or  Spruce,  and  unites  all  the  properties  which  dis- 
tinguish the  European  species,  being  exceedingly  strong 
and  singularly  durable.  In  Canada  it  is  considered  as 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  249 

among  the  most  valuable  timber,  and  has  no  fault  except 
its  weight." 

2.  L.  Dahurica,  Turczaninow. — DAHURIAN  LARCH. — 

Leaves,  linear,  obtuse,  sessile,  recurved,  spreading,  and 
bright  green  in  color.  Branches,  irregular  and  drooping. 
Cones,  from  |-  to  j-  of  an  inch  long,  oblong-ovate,  erect; 
with  small,  reflexed,  wavy,  persistent  scales ;  and  short, 
ovate,  pointed  bracts.  Seeds,  very  small. 

This  species,  as  yet  rare  in  this  country,  is  from  North- 
ern Siberia,  inhabiting  the  most  rigid  and  inclement  situa- 
tions in  that  climate.  Gordon  gives  the  following  account 
of  its  native  haunts :  "  It  is  found  in  Northern  Siberia,  on 
the  bleak  mountains  of  Dahuria,  and  in  the  arctic  regions 
of  Siberia,  a  mere  little  sprawling  shrub  amongst  the  last 
vestiges  of  arborescent  vegetation  in  those  regions ;  also  on 
cold  mountainous  places,  from  the  Ural  Mountains  and 
Kamtchatka  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  but  a  large  tree  in 
Southern  Siberia  and  Russia,  and  is  there  what  is  called 
the  Archangel  Larch" 

The  size  of  this  species  varies  so  much  with  the  situation 
in  which  it  is  found  that  no  standard  can  be  given.  From 
the  smallest  of  shrubs,  it  increases  in  size  as  it  approaches 
a  milder  climate,  and  there  forms  a  large-sized  tree,  with 
irregular,  twisted  branches,  that  have  a  drooping  ten- 
tency,  and  are  densely  supplied  with  foliage.  From  the 
description  of  this  tree  given  by  European  writers,  we 
may  infer  that  it  is  nearly  allied  to  the  L.  Etiropea,  but 
not  so  desirable  for  ornamental  purposes  as  that  species. 
It  will,  however,  be  desirable  in  large  collections,  as  exhib- 
iting a  distinct  form  and  manner  of  growth. 

3.  L,  Eliropea,  De  Candolle. — EUROPEAN  LARCH. — 
Leaves,  1  inch  long,  linear,  obtuse,  flat,  soft,  numerous,  and 
bright-green  in  color.    Branches,  spreading  and  horizontal, 
with  drooping  branchlets.     Cones,  from  1  inch  to  1£  inch 
long,  oval,  erect,  very  persistent,  changing  from  a  purplish, 
to  a  light  brown  color  with  age ;  scales,  orbicular,  slightly 

11* 


250 


THE    BOOK    OP    EVERGREENS. 


reflexed ;  bracts,  somewhat  protruding  beyond  the  scales. 

Seeds,  quite  small,  ir- 
regularly ovate,  with  a 
broad  wing.  Cotyledons, 

5  to  7. 

Our  remarks  on  the 
genus  apply  so  well  to 
this  particular  species, 
which  indeed  appears  to 
be  the  type  of  it,  that 
but  little  more  is  now 
requisite  in  regard  to  it. 
It  is  far  preferable  for 
ornamental  planting  to 
the  American  Larch,  be- 
ing more  dense  and  com- 
pact in  growth,  more 
pleasing  in  the  color  of 
its  foliage,  and  less  ob' 
jectionable  on  account 
of  the  multiplicity  of 
persistent  cones,  that  so 
disfigure  the  appearance 
of  the  latter. 

The  European  Larch 
is  found  very  abundantly 
throughout  the  central 
portions  of  Europe,  and 
especially  on  many  por- 
tions of  the  Alps,  at  very 
high  elevations,  where  it 
is  frequently  met  with  as 
a  low  straggling  shrub ; 

Fig.  30.— LARIX  EUROPEA.  but  in  proper  situations, 

forming  quite  large  trees  from  80  to  100  feet  in  height, 
and  disappearing  altogether  in  a  warmer  climate. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  251 

It  appears  to  have  no  marked  preference  in  regard  to 
soils,  excepting  that  it  be  not  on  either  of  the  extremes  of 
wet  or  dry,  and  we  have  seen  fine  specimens  growing  in  a 
heavy  clay  as  well  as  on  a  light  and  gravelly  loam ;  but 
of  the  two  we  would  decidedly  choose  the  latter  as  being 
more  conducive  to  health  and  rapidity  of  growth. 

London  devotes  several  pages  in  his  "  Arboretum "  to 
the  description  of  this  species,  and  mentions  a  number  of 
instances,  illustrating  the  value  of  its  timber,  and  the  zeal 
displayed  in  its  cultivation  for  that  purpose  in  England 
and  Scotland. 

A  large  number  of  varieties  have  been  advertised  by 
dealers,  and  quoted  by  writers,  but  they  so  nearly  resemble 
the  species  as  scarcely  to  be  worthy  of  perpetuation.  The 
best  of  these  is  undoubtedly  the 

Var.  pendula9  London. — A  very  handsome  and  graceful 
plant,  that,  when  grafted  on  a  tall  stem,  becomes  a  pleasing 
addition  to  our  collections.  We  have  grown  it  for  several 
years,  and  can  fully  endorse  the  many  encomiums  given 
it  by  other  writers.  The  long,  slender  limbs  frequently 
reach  to  the  ground. 

Var.  la\a,  Lawson. — According  to  Lawson,  this  variety 
may  readily  be  distinguished  from  the  species  by  its  more 
rapid  growth,  more  horizontal  and  less  crowded  branches, 
and  by  the  darker  green  or  somewhat  glaucous  color  of 
the  foliage.  The  branches  are  also  larger,  thinner,  more 
graceful,  and  pendent  with  age,  and  the  cones  are  some- 
what distinct. 

Var.  C0mpacta9  Lawson. — Gordon  classes  with  those 
"of  only  trivial  account,"  but  Loudon  describes  it  at  some 
length,  as  having  its  branches  remarkably  thickly  inter- 
woven with  one  another;  with  thick,  rugged,  or  scaly 
bark;  very  distinct  cones,  and  grassy-green  foliage. 
Growth,  very  slow. 

Var.   rcpens,  Lawson. — "  A  tree,"  says  Loudon,  "  with 


252  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

this  name,  in  the  Horticultural  Society's  Garden,  received 
from  Lord  De  Roos,  has  a  tendency  to  extend  its  lower 
branches  along  the  ground,  rather  more  than  the  Common 
Larch.  It  is  of  luxuriant  growth,  and  from  its  leaves  and 
cones  evidently  belongs  to  the  L.  Europea" 

Var.  Killermannii,  Gordon. — Is  described  as  "  a  dwarf 
monstrosity,  with  remarkably  thickened  branches,  densely 
clothed  with  leaves."  He  classes  it  with  those  varieties 
of  no  account. 

Var,  flore  alba  and  Tar,  flore  rubro,  Endlicher. — Are 
distinguished  from  the  species  by  the  former  producing 
white  flowers,  and  the  latter  those  of  a  red  or  pinkish  hue. 

4*  L,  Griffitliiana9  Hooker. — SIKKIM  LAKCH. — Leaves, 
from  1  to  1^  inch  long,  spreading,  narrow,  linear,  light 
glaucous  green  color.  Branches,  irregular,  spreading,  and 
drooping.  Cones,  2^-  inches  long,  oblong-cylindrical, 
slightly  incurved,  sessile,  very  resinous,  reddish-purple 
when  young;  scales,  very  numerous,  broad,  uneven, 
rounded ;  bracts,  nearly  or  quite  as  long  as  the  scales. 
Seeds,  angular,  with  a  broad,  brown  wing. 

This  new  species  was  discovered  by  Dr.  Hooker,  grow- 
ing in  Bhotan,  Sikkim,  and  Nepal.  It  varies  very  con- 
siderably in  size  with  the  elevation  at  which  it  is  found, 
ranging  as  it  does  from  6,000  to  12,000  feet  of  altitude. 

In  the  former  elevation,  this  species  is  occasionally  seen 
60  feet  in  height ;  but  in  the  latter,  at  the  snow  line,  it 
becomes  dwarf  and  stunted  in  growth.  In  some  portions 
of  Sikkim  it  is  very  abundant,  but  chiefly  growing  singly, 
and  rarely  in  groups. 

"  The  Sikkim  Larch,"  says  Dr.  Hooker, "  forms  an  in- 
elegant, sprawling  branched  tree,  with  the  branches  stand- 
ing out  awkwardly,  and  often  drooping  suddenly."  This 
discouraging  character,  however,  is  lost  sight  of  during 
the  autumn,  when  the  foliage  changes  to  a  bright  red 
color,  thus  forming  a  splendid  contrast  to  other  Conifers, 


THE    PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  253 

We  are  not  aware  that  this  tree  has  been  introduced 
into  this  country,  and  therefore  cannot  judge  of  its  char- 
acter, but  presume  it  will  never  be  popular  here,  as  the 
common  European  Larch  is  so  perfect  in  shape  that  it 
would  be  impossible  to  supersede  it  by  one  much  inferior  in 
habit  of  growth,  even  though  it  had  the  questionable  merit 
of  being  new  and  rare. 

5.  L.  Ledebourii,  Ruprecht.  —  ALTAIAN  LARCH. — Syn. 
L.  intermedia,  Lawson  /  L.  Sibirica,  Ledebour. — "  Leaves, 
single,  or  in  bundles  of  many  together  round  a  central 
bud,  but  mostly  single  on  the  leading  shoots  and  young 
plants,  soft,  linear,  broad,  and   rather  flat  on   vigorous 
young  plants,  but  on  older  ones  rather  four-sided,  obtuse, 
and  with  much  longer  and  broader  foliage  than  the  com- 
mon Larch,  and  darker  green.     Branches,  robust,  but  not 
numerous,  and  pendent.     Cones,  very  small,  erect,  slender, 
and  rather  loose.     Scales,  oval,  with  the  margins  entire, 
convex,  and  persistent.     Seeds,  very  small." — Gordon. 

The  authority  whose  description  we  have  quoted  states 
that  it  is  "  a  tall,  luxuriant  tree,  similar  to  the  common  Larch 
in  appearance,  but  with  very  much  smaller  cones,  and 
much  longer  and  broader  foliage,  growing  80  feet  high, 
at  elevations  of  from  2,500  to  5,000  feet  on  the  Altai  moun- 
tains in  Siberia." 

Loudon  thus  records  Lawson's  description.     It  "  seems 

naturally  possessed  of  a  very  strong,  luxuriant  habit  of 

growth,  with  pendulous  branches  and  very  large  leaves ; 

but,like  many  more  Siberian  or  northern  Continental  plants, 

it  produces  its  leaves  on  the  first  approach  of  spring,  and 

is  therefore  very  liable  to  be  injured  by  the  cold,  change- 

ble  weather  to  which  this  country  in  the  earlier  part  of 

he  season  is  so  liable." 

It  was  introduced  into  cultivation  in  England  about  the 
year  1816. 

6.  Lt  OCCidentalis,  Nuttatt. — WESTERN  LARCH. — Leaves, 
shorter  and  thicker  than  the  European  Larch,  quite  rigid, 


254  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

pungent  at  the  points,  a  double  channel  above  and  below, 
partly  tetragonal,  (Nuttall.)  Leaves,  long,  narrowly  lin- 
ear, thin  carinated  above  and  below,  more  slender  and 
delicate  than  those  of  any  other  species,  light  yellowish 
green,  (Newberry.)  Branches  short  and  small.  Cones, 
ovoid,  H  inch  long,  reflexed ;  scales  shortly  ovoid,  trun- 
cated or  broadly  emarginate,  edges  thin,  membranaceous; 
bracts  half  an  inch  long,  imperfectly  elliptical,  fringed, 
terminating  in  a  long  awn. 

This  species  was  first  detected  by  Nuttall,  on  the  west- 
ern slopes  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  towards  the  Oregon. 
A  very  closely  allied  form,  differing  only  in  the  leaves, 
was  afterwards  found  by  Dr.  IsTewberry,  and  although 
with  some  misgivings  described  under  the  same  title.  The 
latter  discoverer  "  first  met  with  this  Larch  on  the  Des 
Chutes  River,  near  its  head,  lat.  43°  40'  1ST.;  from  that 
point  it  extends  northward  to,  and  beyond,  the  Columbia." 
"  It  grows  scattered  along  the  borders  of  the  streams,  ris- 
ing to  a  height  of  150  feet,  with  a  diameter  at  base  of  2  or 
3  feet," 

We  do  not  think  this  species  is  in  cultivation,  but  have 
no  doubt  but  what  it  would  prove  entirely  successful  with 
us  in  the  Middle  States. 


NEW  SPECIES  OF  LAEIX. 

7.  L.  Japonic  a,  Murray. — JAPAK  LAECH. — "Closely 
allied  to  L.  leptolepis,  but  differing  in  the  following  par- 
ticulars, viz.:  The  leaves  are  longer,  being  from  10  to  18 
lines  in  length.  Pulvini,  not  equally  thick  throughout, 
reddish-brown.  Cones,  smaller,  the  ordinary  size  being  8 
or  9  lines  in  length,  and  5  in  diameter.  Scales,  very  con- 
cave, disposed  in  5  rows,  instead  of  8  rows,  which  from 
Siebold's  figure,  appears  to  be  the  number  on  L.  leptolepis^ 
and  about  25  in  number.  Bracts,  elongated  and  truncate, 
with  a  projecting  tooth  at  the  apex.  Seeds  and  wings, 


THE   PINE   SUB-FAMILY.  255 

smaller,  viz.:  from  2  to  3J  lines  in  length,  and  the  wing 
much  wider,  and  more  pyramidate  in  shape,  and  with  the 
seed  placed  at  an  angle  with  the  wing." — Murray. 

Murray  points  out  the  difference  between  this  species 
and  the  other  Larches,  founding  his  distinction  principally 
on  the  scales  of  the  cones,  and  adds :  "  This  species  was 
found  by  Mr.  Veitch,  on  Mount  Fusi  Yama,  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  from  8,000  to  8,500  feet,  and  he  mentions  that  it  is 
remarkable  as  being  the  tree  which  grows  at  the  greatest 
elevation  on  that  mountain.  At  these  high  elevations  it 
becomes  a  stunted  bush,  no  higher  than  1^-  or  2  feet." 

8.  Li  Icptolcpis9  Siebold. — Syn.  L.  Conifera,  Kaempfer; 
Pinus  Larix,  Thunberg;  Pinus  KaBmpferi,  Lambert;  Abies 
leptolepis,  Siebold,  Zuccarini,  Lindley,  and  Veitch;  Pinus 
leptolepis,  Endlicher;  Larix  Japonica,  Carriere. — Leaves, 
from  f  to  1%  inch  long,  deciduous,  linear,  acerose,  mucro- 
nate,  mostly  obtuse,  sub-petiolate,  soft,  slightly  recurved, 
pale  green  color.  Cones,  about  16  lines  in  length,  8  lines 
in  diameter,  numerous,  ovate,  obtuse,  with  about  60  scales ; 
scales,  alternately  and  closely  imbricated,  orbiculate,  at- 
tenuated, thin,  flat,  truncate,  or  emarginate,  reflexed,  and 
pale  brown  color ;  bracts,  lanceolate,  acute,  entire,  mem- 
branaceous,  one-half  the  length  of  the  scale.  Seeds,  obo- 
vate,  rather  compressed,  sub-trigonal,  with  a  long,  obtuse, 
membranaceous  wing. 

This  Larch  resembles  our  common  species  in  many  par- 
ticulars, but  is  more  slender,  and  has  glabrous,  dark-yel- 
lowish, ash-colored  branches,  and  stiffly  spreading  branch- 
lets.  It  grows  to  the  height  of  40  feet,  and  produces  a 
rough,  reddish-brown  timber.  The  following  is  from  Sie- 
bold's  account  of  this  tree : 

"  The  Fuzi-Matsu  belongs  to  the  northern  Flora  of 
Japan.  It  is  found  in  the  mountains  of  Nippon,  between 
the  35th  and  the  41st  degrees  of  north  latitude.  But  still 
more  frequently  on  Jezo,  and  in  the  southern  parts  of 
Krafto,  thus  reaching,  we  may  presume,  so  far  as  48° 
of  north  latitude.  Perhaps  it  may  extend  much  beyond 


256  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

that  towards  the  north,  like  the  Siberian  Larch,  which, 
according  to  Pallas,  does  not  entirely  disappear,  until  it 
reaches  68°  north  latitude. 

"  We,  as  well  as  Mr.  Thunberg,  have  found  it  in  the 
Fakone  Mountains,  where  it  grows  either  isolated  or  in 
small  groups,  in  company  with  other  Conifers,  as  well  as 
with  Oaks  and  Beeches.  As  to  its  exterior,  it  in  every 
respect  resembles  our  European  Larch,  from  which,  how- 
ever, it  is  readily  distinguished  by  its  cones  being  more 
rounded,  and  with  a  much  greater  number  of  scales, 
which  are  smaller,  and  turned  back  at  the  margin." 

The  great  number  of  synonyms  attached  to  this  species 
plainly  shows  the  perplexity  diiferent  authorities  have 
found  in  assigning  it  its  true  position.  Murray  states  that 
he  at  first  supposed  the  Larix  Japonica  was  only  a  lesser 
variety  of  this,  but  he  is  now  convinced  that  he  was  not 
warranted  in  so  doing,  and  that  L.  Japonica  is  a  distinct 
species. 

9,  L,  Lyalli,  Pallatore  in  Gard.  Chronicle. — "A  tree 
found  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in  the 
Cascade  and  Galton  Ranges,  by  Mr.  Lyall,  at  about  49° 
1ST.  lat.,  and  at  an  elevation  above  the  sea  of  between  6,000 
and  7,000  feet.  A  remarkable  species  because  of  the  cob- 
web-like wool  that  clothes  the  leaf  buds  and  young  shoots, 
and  the  long  fringe  of  the  scales  of  the  former.  The  tree 
grows  from  36  to  45  feet  high,  and  is  therefore  much 
dwarfer  than  the  allied  L.  occidentals,  which  is  also  dif- 
ferent in  the  number  of  leaves  in  a  cluster,  their  direction 
and  form,  and  in  the  cones." 


8.— PSEUDOLARIX,  Gordon.—  FALSE   LARCH. 

Cones,  oblong,  erect.  Scales,  divergent,  extended  at  the 
points,  heart-shaped  at  the  base,  very  deciduous.  Seeds, 
irregularly  shaped,  with  a  soft,  thin,  whitish,  skin-like 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY. 


257 


covering,  more  or  less  enclosed  by  the  wing,  but  free,  and 
full  of  turpentine. 


Leaves,  much  as  in  Larix. 


1,  Pseudolarix  Kaempferi,  G-ordon. — GOLDEN  PINE. — 
Syn.  Abies  Ksempferi,  Lambert. — Leaves,  from  1  to  2^  inch- 
es long,  and  from  ^  to  1  line  broad,  deciduous,  flat,  linear, 
sabre-shaped,  somewhat  soft,  and  of  a  delicate,  pale,  pea- 
green  color  when  young,  in  autumn  of  a  golden  yellow. 


Fig.  31. — PSEUDOLARIX  ILEMPFERI. 

Cones,  3  inches  long,  2^  inches  in  diameter,  erect,  with 
ligneous,  flattish,  divergent,  very  deciduous  scales ;  bracts, 
small,  acute,  keeled  on  the  back,  and  slightly  serrulated 
on  the  margins.  Seeds  and  wings,  glossy  bright  brown, 
exactly  the  same  size  and  shape  of  the  scales,  occupying 
the  whole  of  their  inner  surface.  Cotyledons,  from  5  to  7. 

Murray  says :  "  This  species  will  enter  into  none  of  the 


258  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

older  sections  of  the  genus  Abies,  and,  therefore,  on  the 
whole,  we  think  Mr.  Gordon  is  justified  in  having  estab- 
lished another  subsection  to  receive  it,  although  we  wish  he 
had  given  it  some  other  name.  It  will  not  rank  with  any 
of  Endlicher's  sections,  Tsuga,  Abies,  or  Larix,  because 
the  scales  of  its  cone  are  not  persistent ;  and  it  will  not 
rank  with  Cedrus,  because  its  leaves  are  deciduous ;  nor 
with  Picea,  because  they  are  not  solitary,  nor  persistent." 

The  following  extracts  are  from  Fortune's  description  : 
"  I  have  been  acquainted  with  this  interesting  tree  for  sev- 
eral years  in  China,  but  only  in  gardens,  and  as  a  pot 
plant  in  a  dwarf  state.  The  Chinese,  by  their  favorite 
system  of  dwarfing,  contrive  to  make  it,  when  only  a  foot 
and  a  half  or  two  feet  high,  have  all  the  characters  of  an 
aged  Cedar  of  Lebanon.  It  is  called  by  them  the  J£in-le- 
sung,  or  Golden  Pine,  probably  from  the  rich  yellow  ap- 
pearance which  the  ripened  leaves  and  cones  assume  dur- 
ing the  autumn." 

Speaking  of  the  first  specimens  he  met  with,  the  same 
author  says :  "  They  were  growing  in  the  vicinity  of  a 
Buddhist  monastery,  in  the  western  part  of  the  province 
of  Chekiang,  at  an  elevation  of  1,000  or  1,500  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea.  Their  stems  measured  fully  5  feet 
in  circumference,  2  feet  from  the  ground,  and  carried  this 
size  with  a  slight  diminution  to  the  height  of  50  feet,  that 
being  the  height  of  the  lower  branches.  The  total  height 
I  estimated  about  120  or  130  feet.  The  stems  were  per- 
fectly straight  throughout,  the  branches  symmetrical, 
slightly  inclined  to  the  horizontal  form,  and  having  the 
appearance  of  something  between  the  Cedar  and  Larch." 

The  seeds  of  this  new  Conifer  germinate  so  readily  that 
it  is  almost  impossible  to  carry  them  any  great  distance 
after  being  perfectly  ripened.  The  Gardener's  Chronicle 
says :  "  If  the  seeds  of  this  species  are  cut  open  when  they 
are  ripe,  the  little  germ  will  be  observed  in  a  green  and 
growing  condition,  and  this  circumstance  will  readily  ac- 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  259 

count  for  the  difficulty  which  is  felt  in  getting  home  seed  of 
this  fine  species  in  good  order,"  and  recommends  gather- 
ing such  seeds  before  they  are  fully  ripe. 

During  a  recent  visit  to  the  collection  of  H.  W.  Sargent, 
Esq.,  at  Wodenethe,  on  the  Hudson,  we  noticed  one  or 
two  fine  young  specimens  of  this  species,  that  gave  evi- 
dence of  successful  treatment,  and  may  probably  prove 
hardy  in  that  locality.  Near  Boston,  it  has  succeeded  for 
several  years. 


9.— ARAUCARIA,  Jussieu. 

Leaves,  imbricated,  persistent,  and  scale-like.  Strobiles, 
terminal  and  globular,  with  mostly  deciduous  scales; 
the  ovule,  generally  solitary,  joined  to  the  scales.  Pollen 
of  the  sterile  aments,  contained  in  from  10  to  20  cases, 
pendent  from  the  apex  of  the  scale. 

The  Araucarias  are  from  Australia,  Polynesia,  Brazil, 
and  Chili,  where  they  form  large  trees,  often  150  and  200 
feet  in  height,  and  occasionally  constituting  immense  for- 
ests. They  are  all  exceedingly  beautiful,  and  were  they 
hardy  with  us,  would  have  an  unprecedented  popularity. 

Their  scale-like,  imbricated  leaves  remaining  on  the 
plant  for  years,  are  of  the  most  charming  shade  of  green ; 
and  the  straight  body  of  the  tree,  and  its  regular  conical 
form,  are  remarkably  pleasing.  So  rapid  is  their  growth 
and  so  succulent  their  nature,  that  our  climate  in  the 
Northern  States  is  not  adapted  to  them ;  and  with  the  ex- 
ception described  below,  this  superb  genus  must  be  grown 
in  a  warmer  and  more  congenial  climate.  For  conserva- 
tories, however,  many  of  these  species  form  most  conspic- 
uous objects,  and  they  thrive  under  glass  with  tropical 
luxuriance. 


260  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

The  smooth,  nut-like  seeds  produced  by  most  of  the 
species  are  edible  and  nutritious,  and  are  often  two  inches 
in  length.  The  resin  extracted  from  the  trunk  of  the 
trees  is  generally  fragrant  and  valuable ;  that  furnished  by 
the  A.  Braziliensis  is  incorporated  with  wax  and  made 
into  candles.  The  timber  of  many  of  the  species  is  fine- 
grained, durable,  and  valuable  for  building  purposes. 

This  genus  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  order,  as  well 
preserved  specimens  of  a  handsome  species  have  been  dis- 
covered in  the  coal  formations  of  Europe ;  and  although 
entirely  extinct  in  a  living  state  at  the  present  time,  the 
name  of  A.  primceva  has  been  given  it. 

The  Araucarias  differ  from  the  most  of  the  Pine  sub- 
family in  being  dioecious,  and  principally  on  this  account 
have,  with  the  Dammara  and  others,  been  formed  into  a 
distinct  sub-order  by  some  writers.  The  name  of  the  ge- 
nus is  derived  from  a  tribe  of  Chilians  called  Araucanos, 
who  use  the  seeds  of  the  A.  imbricata  as  their  principal 
article  of  food. 

1.  A.  imbricata,  Pavon—  CHILI  PINE. — Leaves,  vary- 
ing from  f  to  If  inch  long,  ovate-lanceolate,  sessile,  rigid, 
straight,  sharply  acute,  very  persistent,  closely  imbricated, 
arranged  in  whorls  or  verticils  of  7  or  8,  deep  glossy-green 
color.  Branches,  horizontal,  ascending  at  their  extremi- 
ties, in  whorls  of  6,  7,  or  8,  and  covered  with  a  resinous, 
corky  bark.  Cones,  from  7  to  7-J-  inches  long,  and  8  to  8^ 
inches  broad,  roundish-ovate,  erect,  solitary ;  with  numer- 
ous, deciduous,  recurved,  wedge-shaped,  large  scales. 
Seeds,  wedge-shaped,  from  1  to  2  inches  long ;  thick,  hard 
testa ;  and  short,  obsolete  wings. 

This  very  handsome  species  is  from  the  Andes  of  South 
America,  between  36°  and  46°  south  latitude,  and  occurs 
in  such  abundance  as  to  form  large  forests ;  in  many  places 
covering  whole  sides  of  the  mountain  from  the  base  to  the 
snow  line.  It  is  most  frequently  found  on  dry,  rocky  emi- 
nences almost  destitute  of  water. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY. 


261 


Fig.  32.— ARAUCAKIA  IMBRICATA. 


262  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

The  Chili  Pine  forms  a  tall,  straight  tree,  with  a  maximum 
height  of  150  feet.  The  shape  is  perfectly  conical,  with 
horizontal  branches  placed  in  regular  whorls.  The  branch- 
lets  are  so  densely  crowded  with  the  closely  imbricated 
leaves  as  to  entirely  conceal  the  bark,  and  the  foliage  per- 
sists for  several  years.  Its  growth  is  remarkably  rapid  in 
suitable  localities,  and  it  quickly  arrives  at  maturity. 
Pavon,  in  speaking  of  this  tree,  remarks  that  the  male 
plant  rarely  ever  exceeds  40  or  50  feet  in  height,  but  the 
female  usually  grows  to  the  height  of  150  feet. 

We  have  endeavored  to  succeed  with  it,  but  it  failed 
with  us,  as  it  has  generally  throughout  the  Middle 
States ;  but  a  few  degrees  further  south  it  is  quite  satis- 
factory. Sargent  says  in  Downing's  Landscape  Garden- 
ing :  "  Both  sun  and  wet  are  fatal  to  it,  and  in  situations 
where  there  are  no  hill-sides  sloping  to  the  north,  it  should 
be  planted  on  the  north  of  buildings  on  little  mounds,  with 
at  least  the  lower  foot  in  the  holes  filled  with  stones  for 
drainage." 

Downing's  description  of  the  Dropmore  specimens  in 
England  is  one  of  the  best  that  we  have  seen  of  this  tree. 
He  says:  "But  the  gem  of  the  collection  is  the  superb 
Chili  Pine,  or  Araucaria,  the  oldest,  I  think,  in  England,  or, 
at  all  events,  the  finest.  The  seed  was  presented  to  the 
late  Lord  Grenville  by  William  IV,  who  had  some  of  the 
first  gigantic  cones  of  this  tree  that  were  imported.  This 
specimen  is  now  30  feet  high,  perfectly  symmetrical,  the 
stem  as  straight  as  a  column,  the  branches  dispersed  with 
the  utmost  regularity,  and  the  lower  ones  drooping  and 
touching  the  ground  like  those  of  a  Larch.  If  you  will 
not  smile,  I  will  tell  you  that  it  struck  me  that  the  expres- 
sion of  this  tree  is  heroic,  that  is,  it  looks  the  very  Mars 
of  evergreens. 

"  There  are  no  slender  twigs,  no  small  branches,  but  a 
great  stem  with  branches  like  a  colossal  bronze  candela- 
brum, or  perhaps  the  whole  reminds  one  more  of  some 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  263 

gigantic,  dark  green  coral,  than  a  living,  flexible  tree.  Yet 
it  is  a  grand  object, — in  its  richness  of  dark  green,  its  no- 
ble aspect,  and  its  powerful,  defiant  attitude.  This  is  quite 
the  best  specimen  that  I  have  seen,  and  stands  in  a  light 
sandy  soil,  on  a  gravelly  bottom,  on  which  soil  I  was  told 
it  only  grows  luxuriantly." 

Var.  varicgata,  Gordon. — "A  very  striking  variety 
with  pale,  straw-colored  leaves,  and  occasionally  the  young 
shoots  intermixed  with  the  ordinary  deep  shining  green 
ones.  It  originated  in  Mr.  Glendinning's  nursery,  at 
Furnham  Green,  and  is  quite  unique." 

Not  yet  introduced  into  this  country  to  our  knowledge. 


TENDER    SPECIES    OF    ARAUCARIA. 

These  beautiful  trees  form  one  of  the  most  ornamental 
features  in  our  collections  when  grown  in  large  tubs  or 
boxes,  and  placed  under  glass  during  the  winter  months. 
With  the  exception  of  A.  excelsa,  they  will  all  probably 
succeed  well  in  the  open  air  in  the  extreme  Southern 
States.  They  are  not  hardy  in  England,  but  are  grown 
extensively  for  decorative  purposes. 

2.  A.  Bidwillii,  Hooker. — BID  WILL'S  ARAUCAKIA. — This 
is  a  splendid  tree,  growing  from  100  to  150  feet  in  height, 
with  an  even,  although  rather  loose,  conical  head,  and  pro- 
ducing very  fine-grained,  durable  wood,  and  large,  nut-like 
fruit  over  2  inches  in  length.     The  cones  are  about  9  inches 
in  length,  of  a  globular  form,  inclining  somewhat  to  oval ; 
with  the  scales  terminating  in  a  stout,  recurved  hook  or 
sharp  point.     It  is  a  native  of  Australia. 

3.  A,  Brasiliana,  Richard.— BRAZILIAN  ARAUCARIA. — 


264  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

Smaller  tlian  the  preceding,  not  exceeding  70  or  100  feet 
in  height,  but  strikingly  beautiful  in  all  its  parts.  It  is 
from  the  section  of  country  north  of  Rio  Janeiro,  and  was 
introduced  into  England  in  1819.  It  is  more  tender  than 
A.  irribricata,  but  a  much  more  rapid  grower  than  that 
species.  The  large,  sessile  cones  are  about  6  inches  in  di- 
ameter, with  the  scales  ending  in  sharp  spines.  The  seeds 
are  produced  singly  and  are  about  2  inches  long. 

Var,  Ridolfiana,  SavL  —  This  form  is  more  robust  in 
growth,  with  larger  and  longer  leaves,  and  probably  more 
hardy  than  the  species. 

Var,  graciliS;  Carriere.  —  This  variety  is  the  exact  re- 
verse of  the  above,  and  has  bright  green  leaves  when 
young,  and  in  its  general  appearance  closely  resembles  the 
Cunninghamia  Sinensis.  Branches  undivided  and  droop- 
ing at  the  extremities. 

4.  A.  Cookii,  Brown.  —  Is  from  the  islands  of  Aniteura, 
New  Hebrides,  and  New  Caledonia.  It  grows  to  the 
height  of  from  150  to  200  feet.  The  branches  are  placed 
in  very  regular  whorls,  horizontal  in  growth,  and  very 
densely  clothed  with  leaves.  Cones  smaller  than  either 
of  the  preceding. 


5.  A.  Cumiinghamii,  Alton.  —  MORETON  BAY  PIKE.  — 
From  Moreton  Bay  and  elsewhere  in  Australia,  where  it 
constitutes  whole  forests,  frequently  growing  to  the  height 
of  from  100  to  130  feet.  The  form  of  this  species  is  not 
so  compact  as  some  others,  but  its  beautiful,  dark,  glossy- 
green  leaves  are  very  attractive.  It  produces  the  smallest 
cones  of  the  genus. 

Var.  glauca,  Antoine.  —  Differs  from  the  species  in  hav- 
ing glaucous  leaves.  Said  to  be  very  striking. 

Var,  longifolia,  Antoine.  —  The  foliage  is  longer  and 
straighter  than  the  usual  form,  and  it  is  robust. 


THE   PINE    SUB-FAMILY.  265 

6,  A,  excelsa.  Brown. — NORFOLK  ISLAND  PINE. — The 
most  tender  species,  but  growing  much  larger  than  the 
others,  almost  rivalling  in  grandeur  the  "  Giant  Trees  of 
California."     Specimens  have  been  measured  that  were 
225  feet  in  height,  with  trunks  11  feet  in  diameter,  and  en- 
tirely destitute  of  branches  to  the  height  of  80  or  100  feet. 
The  branches  are  in  regular  whorls,  and  the  globular  cones 
are  about  6  inches  in  diameter,  and  produce  very  large  seeds. 

7.  A,  Rulei,  Mueller. — Another  of  the  newer  Australian 
species  that  is  quite  tender  in  England.    It  forms  a  dense, 
compact  tree  about  50  feet  in  height,  with  very  numerous, 
closely  imbricated,  dark    glossy-green    leaves,  and  very 
large,  globular  cones,  having  broad  scales,  terminating  in 
narrow,  lance-shaped  projections  or  points  an  inch  long. 


1O.— DAMHARA,  Rumphius. 

Dioecious,  having  globular,  axillary  cones,  and  solitary, 
coriaceous,  persistent  leaves.  The  carpellary  scales  are 
devoid  of  bracts ;  the  ovules  solitary,  and  not  adherent  to 
their  base.  According  to  Gordon  there  are  five  known 
species,  and  three  that  are  uncertain. 

We  note  this  tender  genus  and  the  following  to  warn 
those  who  may  be  disposed  to  try  them  of  their  true  char- 
acter, as  well  as  to  give  those  who  wish  to  grow  them 
under  glass  a  list  of  the  species,  with  some  indications  of 
their  character.  The  descriptions  of  these  will  necessarily 
be  brief. 

1.  D.  australiS;  Lambert. — Is  a  tree  from  120  to  150 
feet  high,  and  a  native  of  New  Zealand. 
12 


266  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

2.    D.  macrophylla,  Lindley. — Grows  100  feet  high, 
and  comes  from  one  of  the  South  Sea  Islands. 

3*    D,  Moori,  Lindley. — Is  about  40  feet  in  height; 
from  New  Caledonia. 

4.  D,  obtusa,  Lindley. — Forms  a  large  tree  200  feet 
high,  and  was  introduced  from  the  Island  of  Aniteura, 
one  of  the  New  Hebrides  group. 

5.  D.   Orientalis,  Lambert. — Is  a  huge  tree  100  feet 
high,  from  Java  and  Borneo.     "  This  species,"  according 
to  the  Botanical  Magazine,   "  is  perhaps  the  rarest  of  all 
ConiferaB  cultivated  in  Europe." 

Var.  glauca   is  recently  introduced,  and  is  represented 
as  having  very  glaucous  leaves. 

Var.     alba,  KnigJit. — Has  whitish  bark   and  longer 
leaves. 

The  three  new  and  uncertain  species  are  D. 
Seemann;  D,  ovata,  Moore  ;  D.  longifolia,  Lindley. 


11.— ARTIIROT AXIS,  Don.— THE  JOIKTED  YEW. 


Small,  dioecious,  evergreen  plants  from  Van  Diemen's 
Land.  The  flowers  are  all  terminal  and  solitary,  and  the 
small,  globular  cones  composed  of  imbricated,  entire  scales, 
and  destitute  of  bracts.  From  3  to  5  ovules  under  each 
scale.  The  name  is  derived  from  the  curious  arrangement 
of  the  jointed  shoots. 

The  genus  comprises  but  three  known  species. 


THE   PIXE   SUB-FAMILY.  267 

1.  A,  cupressoides,  Don.— Forms  a  tree  about  30  feet 
in  height,  with  numerous,  slender,  spreading  branches. 

2t  A.  laxifolia?  Hooker. — A  small  tree  of  which  but 
little  is  known. 

3*  Af  selaginoides,  Don. — Forms  a  handsome,  spread- 
ing bush  with  numerous  branches,  densely  clothed  with 
deep  green  glossy  leaves. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.— CUPRESSINEU. 

The  engraving,  figure  33,  gives  magnified  drawings  of 
the  flowers  and  fruit  of  the  common  Juniper,  and  illus- 
trates the  characters  of  the  sub-family  Cupressineae.  The 
sterile  aments  are  shown  of  the  natural  size,  at  a  ;  b  shows 
one  of  these  much  enlarged ;  and  c  gives  a  view  of  one 
of  the  stamens.  The  fertile  aments,  d^  one  of  which  is 
shown  enlarged  at  e,  consist  of  a  few  scales ;  at  the  base 
of  the  scales  are  borne  the  erect  ovules,  as  seen  in  the  mag- 
nified cross  section,^  The  scales  in  the  Juniper  become 
fleshy  and  form  a  berry-like  fruit,  of  which  g  represents 
the  young,  and  A,  the  mature  state,  both  enlarged.  A 
cross  section  of  the  fruit  is  shown  at  i,  exposing  the  seeds, 
a  separate  one  of  which,  with  the  glands  at  its  base,  is 
represented  at  j. 

12.— JUJVIPERUS,  Linnaeus.— JUNIPER. 

Flowers  chiefly  dioecious,  very  rarely  monoecious;  sterile 
aments,  sub-terminal  or  axillary,  anther  cells  on  the  under 
side  of  the  shield-shaped  scales,  opening  lengthwise,  and 
from  3  to  6  in  number ;  fertile  aments  axillary,  ovoid,  and 
bracteate  at  base.  Fruit,  a  scaly-bracted  drupe,  in  some 
species  resembling  a  berry,  emitting  a  strong,  resinous 
odor,  and  containing  from  1  to  3,  erect,  hard-shelled  seeds. 
Cotyledons,  2.  Leaves,  scale-like,  subulate  or  lanceolate, 
persistent  and  rigid. 

This  immense  genus  of  evergreens  is  one  of  the  most 
useful  of  the  order  for  ornamental  planting.    It  comprises 
268 


THE   CYPKESS  SUB-FAMILY. 


269 


ff 


Fig.  33.— FLOWERS  AND  FRUIT  OF  JUNIPERUS  €OMMUNIS,  TO  ILLUSTRATE 
THE  STRUCTURE  OF   THE   SUB-FAMILY  CUPRESSINE^I. 


270  THE  BOOK   OF  EVEBGREENS. 

species  of  every  size,  from  the  largest  class  to  the  trailing 
plant  that  creeps  along  the  ground.  We  could  not  dis- 
pense with  these  charming  additions  to  our  shrubbery,  as 
they  are  almost  the  only  reliable  plants  with  persistent 
leaves.  The  broad,  spreading  character  of  some  contrasts 
beautifully  with  the  rigid  conical  forms  of  others ;  and 
the  graceful,  drooping  branchlets  of  the  weepers,  and  the 
curious,  carpet-like  appearance  of  the  trailing  species, 
present  widely  differing  forms. 

They  are  natives  of  every  degree  of  latitude,  from  that 
of  almost  perpetual  congelation  to  the  torrid  zone.  In 
the  latter,  however,  they  are  rare,  but  are  plentiful  in  the 
frigid  and  temperate  regions.  For  this  reason,  we  find 
the  greater  portion  of  them  succeeding  in  our  latitude. 
Almost  every  quarter  of  the  globe  is  represented  in  this 
genus,  and  almost  every  year  adds  one  or  more  new  species 
or  varieties  to  our  already  long  list.  The  lumber  of  sev- 
eral species  is  of  the  best  quality,  and  the  resin  furnished 
by  others  is  highly  odorous  and  valuable.  The  fruit  of 
some  is  used  in  flavoring  liquors,  and  in  the  materia  medica. 

The  generic  name  is  the  old  classical  one  adopted  by 
Linnaeus,  but  the  derivation  is  obscure. 


§   I.— TRUE    JUNIPERS.— OXYCEDRUS. 

Leaves  in  whorls  of  3,  spreading  in  the  adult  plants, 
jointed  at  the  base,  and  glandless  on  the  back.  Fruit 
globular  and  smooth. 

1.  J.  fommiinis,  Linnaeus.  —  COMMON  JUNIPER. — 
Leaves  rather  long,  linear  awl-shaped,  prickly  pointed,  up- 
per surface  glaucous,  under  one  bright  green.  Branches 
ascending  or  spreading,  rigid,  with  numerous  branchlets. 
Fruit  small,  globular,  dark  purple,  covered  with  a  hand- 
some light  bloom.  For  flowers  and  fruit  see  figure  33. 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  271 


Fig.  34.— tfUNIPERUS   COMMTTNIS. 


272  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

The  Common  Jumper  is  a  native  of  North  America, 
Europe,  and  Asia.  In  this  country  its  limits  extend  from 
"New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  northward  into  Canada, 
and  in  Europe  it  is  found  throughout  the  most  northern 
portions,  and  is  particularly  plentiful  on  the  Alps  and  Ap- 
ennines. 

The  Common  Juniper  varies  from  5  to  10  feet  in  height, 
and  in  cultivation  frequently  grows  much  larger.  Its 
branches  are  usually  numerous  and  erect,  although  more 
or  less  straggling  in  growth,  frequently  spreading  and 
forming  a  sprawling  bush.  This  tendency  to  spread  causes 
the  shape  of  the  plant  to  be  injured  by  heavy  masses  of 
snow  lodging  in  the  centre.  A  few  wires  drawn  tightly 
around  the  main  branches  is  a  sure  preventive.  The  out- 
line should  also  be  preserved  perfectly  symmetrical  by 
shearing  off  all  superabundant  growth,  and  thus  cause  the 
plant  to  become  more  dense  and  compact. 

"We  have  noticed  the  frequent  use  of  this  Juniper  for  a 
hedge-plant,  but  it  is  unfit  for  this  purpose.  The  lower 
branches  are  apt  to  die  out,  thus  presenting  an  unhand- 
some appearance  at  the  base,  and  during  cold  winters  the 
immature  branchlets  are  occasionally  destroyed.  Indeed 
all  of  the  genus  are  more  or  less  liable  to  the  objection  of 
dying  out,  not  even  excepting  our  Red  Cedar,  (J~.  Virgin- 
iana);  and  we  recommend  planting  for  hedges  the  Ar- 
bor Yitaes  and  Hemlock  Spruce  in  preference  to  any  of  the 
Junipers. 

Adult  plants  of  this  species  will  occasionally  form  quite 
large  trees.  The  Bartram  specimen,  according  to  Mee- 
han's  "  Hand-book  of  Ornamental  Trees,"  is  "  35  feet  high, 
and  2|-  feet  in  circumference.  It  is  growing  on  a  dry  loam 
.with  a  gravelly  subsoil,  which  seems  to  suit  it  admirably." 

Scarcely  any  plant  is  so  liable  to  assume  a  multiplicity 
of  shapes  as  this.  We  have  seen  a  large  number  of  young 
seedlings  in  nursery  rows,  where  scarcely  two  were  alike 
in  every  particular.  Occasionally  they  present  a  tall,  erect 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  273 

form,  almost  equalling  the  Irish  Juniper,  and  again  spread- 
ing and  straggling  in  a  very  unsymmetrical  manner.  We 
have  also  noticed  specimens  with  horizontal  branches,  in 
which  the  outline  of  the  plant  was  spherical ;  but  this 
latter  form  is  not  of  frequent  occurrence. 

Gin  receives  its  flavor  from  the  drupe-like  berries  of  this 
species,  and  the  oil  extracted  from  them  is  also  used  in 
medicine. 

Var,  Alpina,  Linn. — Syn.  J.  Canadensis,  Loddiges ;  J. 
communis  depressa,  Pursh  /  var.  Canadensis,  London. — 
This  is  a  creeping  or  rather  a  low  spreading  plant,  extending 
along  the  surface  of  the  ground  often  to  the  distance  of  7 
or  8  feet,  in  every  direction.  The  extremities  of  the 
branches  are  usually  ascending,  but  rarely  to  a  greater 
height  than  three  feet.  The  foliage  is  very  handsome,  and 
presents  an  agreeable  contrast  to  the  darker  hues  of  J. 
prostrata  when  growing  near  each  other,  as  they  are  fre- 
quently placed  in  ornamental  grounds. 

It  is  principally  found  along  the  lakes  on  our  northern 
boundary,  and  is  more  or  less  common  throughout  Canada 
and  farther  north. 

For  ornamenting  rock-work,  this  plant  is  well  adapted ; 
its  creeping  habit,  united  with  a  strong,  vigorous  growth, 
making  it  particularly  useful  in  such  situations.  We  have 
seen  an  artificial  rockery  covered  with  this  plant  and  the 
J.  prostrata^  which  we  considered  the  most  charming 
feature  in  the  collection  where  it  was  grown. 

Specimens  of  this  variety  when  growing  wild  are  often 
remarkably  beautiful;  and  this  is  particularly  the  case 
along  the  Niagara  River. 

On  Goat  Island,  as  well  as  on  the  opposite  shore,  this 
hardy  little  plant  flourishes  amid  the  spray,  and  enlivens 
the  winter  landscape  by  its  peculiar  silvery  tints. 

Var,  Uibernica,  Loddiges. — IRISH  JUNIPER. — This  is 
decidedly  the  most  distinct  and  beautiful  of  all  the  van- 
12* 


274  THE  BOOK   OF   EVERGREEN. 

eties  of  our  Common  Juniper.  It  is  very  formal  and  erect 
in  growth,  resembling  a  green  column,  and  generally  at- 
taining about  the  same  height  as  the  species,  but  with  a 
much  more  dense  and  compact  habit  of  growth.  For 
suitable  localities,  especially  in  formal  or  architectural 
gardens  and  avenues,  this  fine  variety  is  of  the  highest 
importance ;  but  for  general  and  promiscuous  planting  on 
a  highly  cultivated  lawn,  it  is  decidedly  out  of  place. 

During  excessively  cold  winters  this  variety  is  liable  to 
be  injured  in  this  latitude,  particularly  in  the  young  and 
imperfectly  matured  shoots ;  but  we  think  this  is  not  so 
frequently  the  case  when  it  is  growing  in  a  good,  well- 
drained  soil — not  sandy,  however,  for  the  Irish  Juniper 
requires  a  rather  moist  and  somewhat  generous  soil  to  en- 
sure a  full  development. 

A  form  of  this  variety  with  prettily  variegated  leaves 
has  been  raised  at  Handsworth,  England. 

Var.  Siiccica,  Loudon. — SWEDISH  JUNIPER. — A  native 
of  the  north  of  Europe,  and  is  remarkably  hardy  and  use- 
ful with  us.  The  foliage  is  a  light  yellowish-green  color, 
smaller,  and  more  scattered  than  in  the  species.  It,  how- 
ever, forms  a  much  larger  tree,  and  produces  larger  fruit. 

Loudon,  in  speaking  of  the  Swedish  Juniper,  observes 
that  "  this  kind  was  supposed  by  Miller  to  be  a  species, 
because  he  found  it  always  come  true  from  seed.  It  gener- 
ally attains  the  height  of  10  feet  or  12  feet,  and  some- 
times of  16  feet  or  18  feet.  The  branches  are  more  erect 
than  those  of  the  Common  Juniper ;  the  leaves  are  nar- 
rower, they  end  in  more  acute  points,  and  are  placed  far- 
ther asunder  on  the  branches ;  the  berries  are  also  larger 
and  longer."  This  author  calls  it  J.  communis  fastigiata. 
Gordon  mentions  that  it  has  attained  the  height  of  50  feet 
in  the  forest  of  Fontainbleau,  France. 

Var,  compressa,  Carriere. —  SPANISH  JUNIPER.— Re- 
sembles the  Irish  Juniper  in  form,  but  it  is  even  more 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  275 

dense  in  habit,  with  shorter  and  more  numerous  leaves 
than  that  variety.  We  are  unable  to  speak  from  our  own 
experience  in  regard  to  its  hardiness,  but  according  to 
Sargent  it  is  perfectly  hardy  and  fine,  and  if  we  mistake 
not,  it  succeeds  at  Flushing,  L.  I. 

Var.  pcndula,  Reid. — This  variety,  although  not  very 
distinct,  deserves  a  place  on  our  lawns ;  for  with  proper 
care  in  training  and  pruning,  it  makes  a  fine  specimen. 
The  branchlets  have  a  drooping  tendency.  It  originated 
at  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  in  the  collection  of  the  late  Wm. 
Reid. 

2.  J.  drupacea9  Labitt. — PLUM-FRUITED  JUNIPER. — 
Leaves  rather  large,  linear-lanceolate,  spreading,  very 
acute,  concave  and  glaucous  above,  convex  and  light  green 
below.  Branches  spreading.  Fruit,  very  large,  frequently 
1  inch  in  diameter,  roundish-ovate,  axillary,  solitary,  dark 
purplish  color,  with  a  handsome  bloom. 

This  rare  species  is  almost  unknown  to  cultivators  in 
this  country,  but  is  well  deserving  of  cultivation.  We 
have  had  an  opportunity  of  testing  it  fully  for  several 
years,  and  have  proven  its  adaptability  to  our  climate. 

It  is  a  native  of  the  colder  parts  of  Syria,  where  it  gen- 
erally attains  the  height  of  from  8  to  10  feet,  but  occa- 
sionally forms  quite  a  good-sized  tree.  The  branches  are 
very  numerous  and  spreading,  and  the  general  form  of  the 
plant  a  regular  cone.  With  us  the  fruit  is  not  so  large  as 
that  described  by  foreign  authors.  Gordon  speaks  of  it 
in  England  as  quite  hardy,  and  the  finest  of  all  the  Juni- 
pers ;  and  we  trust  it  will  receive  more  attention  in  the 
future  with  us,  as  our  list  of  evergreen  shrubs  is  so  small 
that  we  cannot  afford  to  dispense  with  one  so  valuable  as 
this. 

3»  J«  hemisphsBrica,  Presl. — HEDGE-HOG,  OR  GLOBULAR 
JUNIPER. — Syn.  J.  echinoformis,  Rinz  /  J.  Oxycedrus 
echinoformis,  Van  Houtte's  Catalogue. — Leaves  medium 


276  THE    BOOK    OP   EVERGREENS. 

length  or  small,  awl-shaped,  exceedingly  acute,  spreading, 
very  numerous,  glaucous  above,  light  green  below.  Branch- 
es and  branchlets  very  numerous,  crowded.  Fruit  spheri- 
cal, glossy,  bright  red  color. 

This  curious  little  plant,  as  its  specific  name  implies, 
forms  a  complete  hemisphere,  and  usually  measures  from 
one  to  two  feet  in  diameter.  The  branches  are  very  nu- 
merous, crowded,  quite  small ;  and  the  branchlets  are  so 
dense  and  thickly  covered  with  leaves  as  to  make  a  com- 
plete mass  of  sharp,  awl-shaped  points,  extending  out  in 
every  direction. 

Our  specimen  is  now  ten  years  old,  and  is  but  one  foot 
in  diameter;  it  has  nevertheless  been  remarkably  healthy, 
and  has  sustained  its  lively  green  hue  through  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  a  changeable  climate,  never  altering  its  color, 
even  in  the  coldest  winters  or  during  the  most  severe 
droughts.  Its  odd  appearance  has  caused  the  name  of 
Hedge-hog  Juniper  to  be  applied  to  it;  and  although 
rather  inelegant  for  so  pretty  a  little  plant  as  this,  it  is 
certainly  very  expressive. 

It  is  a  native  of  the  sterile  sides  of  Mt.  Etna,  where  it 
flourishes  in  a  barren  soil  beneath  an  almost  scorching 
sun.  It  is  also  occasionally  found  in  the  mountainous  re- 
gions of  Calabria. 

We  have  seen  this  plant  used  in  cemeteries,  where  it 
appeared  very  appropriate  and  created  a  pretty  effect,  es- 
pecially in  a  small,  enclosed  lot.  When  this  species  is  as- 
sociated with  the  trailing  Junipers,  such  as  J.  prostrata, 
or  J.  squamata,  the  effect  is  visibly  heightened. 

4.  J.  mar  rocarpa*  Sibthorp. — LARGE-FRUITED  JUNI- 
PER.— Syn.  J.  elliptica,  Van  Houtte. — Leaves  rather  large, 
lanceolate,  very  acute,  glaucous  above,  light  green  below. 
Branches,  somewhat  upright,  with  slender,  drooping 
branchlets.  Fruit  very  large,  nearly  elliptical,  dark  pur- 
ple color,  and  covered  with  a  beautiful  light  bloom.  , 

This  fine  shrub,  although  closely  resembling  J.  Oxyce- 


THE   CTPEESS   SUB-FAMILY.  277 

drus  in  appearance,  and  especially  in  the  form  and  color 
of  its  leaves,  is,  notwithstanding,  quite  distinct  in  its  fruit, 
and  is  also  much  less  hardy  with  us,  but  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  of  the  family.  In  England  it  is  pronounced  en- 
tirely hardy,  and  is  considered  very  desirable ;  but  our  ex- 
perience with  it  has  been  so  variable  and  unsatisfactory 
that  we  cannot  recommend  it,  excepting  for  trial  under 
very  favorable  circumstances. 

Along  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean,  on  dry,  sandy 
soils,  this  species  nourishes  in  great  luxuriance.  In  sev- 
eral portions  of  Greece  it  is  abundant,  especially  in 
rocky  localities.  It  generally  grows  from  6  to  10  feet  in 
height,  and  forms  a  conical  outline,  with  the  young  branch- 
lets  drooping  quite  gracefully.  Spach  considered  it  as  a 
variety  of  the  J.  communis. 

5*  J.  oblonga  j  Bieberstein. — OBLONG-FRUITED,  OR  CAU- 
CASIAN JUNIPER. — Syn.  J.  communis  oblonga,  London, 
etc.,  etc. — Leaves  rather  long,  lanceolate,  very  acute,  rigid, 
sessile,  glaucous  green  color.  Branches  spreading,  and 
furnished  with  numerous  drooping  branchlets.  Fruit 
small,  in  clusters  or  whorls  of  3,  sessile,  dark  purple  color, 
with  a  light  bloom. 

This  species  is  found  principally  in  Caucasus  and  South- 
west Russia,  where  it  grows  to  the  height  of  5  or  6 
feet,  but  frequently  forming  only  a  straggling  bush, 
spreading  along  the  ground.  The  branches  are  mostly  ir- 
regularly placed  and  very  crooked,  incurved  at  the  apex, 
but  with  very  pretty,  slender,  pendent  branchlets.  The 
branches  are  so  numerous  as  to  form  a  dense  and  com- 
pact mass,  which  serves  in  a  manner  to  disguise  their 
unmethodical  arrangement,  and  in  most  cases  causes  it  to 
form  a  regular  and  pleasing  outline. 

We  have  found  it  quite  hardy  and  very  distinct  from 
any  other  species,  although  nearly  resembling  the  Jl  rigida, 
to  which  it  is  closely  allied.  In  a  group  of  evergreen 
shrubbery  the  J.  oblonga  should  always  have  a  place,  aa 


278  THE   BOOK    OF   EVEEGREENS. 

the  gracefulness  of  the  branchlets  imparts  a  peculiar  beauty, 
unusual  in  the  majority  of  the  genus.  It  is  especially  fit- 
ted for  use  in  cemeteries,  and  we  have  often  wondered 
why  so  appropriate  a  plant  should  be  overlooked. 

6,  J.  Oxycedrus,  Linnceus. — PRICKLY  CEDAE. — Leaves 
medium  size,  lanceolate  or  awl-shaped,  scattered,  spread- 
ing, light  green  color.     Branches  spreading,  with  pendu- 
lous, slender  branchlets.     Fruit  numerous,  large,  globular, 
shining,  reddish-brown  color. 

The  Prickly  Cedar,  or,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  the 
Large  Brown-fruited  Juniper,  is  a  small  tree  from  the 
shores  of  the  Mediterranean,  particularly  in  Spain,  Portu- 
gal, and  France;  also  on  the  Apennine  Mountains,  at  a 
considerable  elevation.  The  usual  height  is  about  10  or 
12  feet,  but  occasionally  it  is  much  larger,  with  long, 
slender  branches  that  have  a  somewhat  drooping  habit. 

Its  hardiness  in  our  climate  is  doubtful,  but  our  ex- 
perience with  it  has  been  somewhat  limited.  It  generally, 
however,  survives  our  winters  with  an  occasional  loss  of  a 
portion  of  the  young  branchlets,  which  injures  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  plant.  During  the  growing  season  it  is 
very  handsome  and  quite  distinct,  owing  to  the  color, 
form,  and  arrangement  of  the  leaves.  For  partially 
shaded  situations  in  favorable  aspects,  we  would  recom- 
mend its  culture  here. 

7.  J.  rigida,   Siebold. — WEEPING,   OR  RIGID-LEAVED 
JUNIPEE. — Syn.    J.    oblonga    pendula,   London. — Leaves 
medium  length,  lanceolate,  sessile,  rigid,  acute,  glaucous 
and  concave  on  the  upper  side,  light  green  and  convex  be- 
neath.    Branches  fastigiate  and  pendent  at  the  extremi- 
ties, with  numerous  flexile,  angular,  and  slender  branch- 
lets.     Fruit  small,  oblong  or  spherical,  solitary,  short  pet- 
ioled,  glaucous  violet  color. 

This  species,  which  has  been  long  known  as  the  J.  ob- 
longa pendula,  or  Weeping  Juniper  of  Loudon,  is  a  native 


THE    CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  279 

of  the  mountains  of  China  and  Japan,  where  it  attains  the 
height  of  from  15  to  25  feet. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  validity  of  Siebold's  spe- 
cific name,  and  that  he  was  correct  in  considering  it  a  dis- 
tinct species.  The  similarity  between  it  and  J~.  oblong  a, 
as  well  as  tT.  communis,  is  entirely  superficial;  and 
Loudon  named  it  from  its  mere  resemblance  in  growth  and 
general  appearance  to  these  plantsT 

It  is,  however,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  family, 
and  should  be  tested  by  every  admirer  of  the  Coniferae. 
The  branches  are  fewer  in  number,  more  slender  and  pen- 
dent, and  altogether  more  graceful  than  those  of  the  J". 
oblonga.  It  is  perhaps  scarcely  as  hardy  as  the  latter  spe- 
cies, but  requires  a  few  years  of  care  and  attention  to 
enable  it  to  become  acclimated,  the  young  and  tender 
shoots  being  liable  to  injury,  not  only  from  the  excessive 
cold  of  winter,  but  frequently  from  the  direct  rays  of  our 
summer's  sun. 

It  grows  very  rapidly,  and  soon  forms  one  of  the  most 
attractive  features  in  a  collection.  We  have  been  much 
pleased  with  this  species  when  grafted  standard  high  on 
the  Red  Cedar;  it  then  assumes  an  unusually  graceful  hab- 
it. It  is  remarkably  well  adapted  for  cemetery  planting. 

8.  J.  rufescens,  Link. — BROWN-FRUITED  JUNIPER. — 
Syn.  J.  communis  Wittmanniana,  Carriere. — Leaves  rather 
long,  lanceolate,  spreading,  rigid,  acute,  pale  green  color. 
Branches  angular  and  spreading,  with  long,  slender 
branchlets.  Fruit  small,  spherical,  short  peduncled,  dark 
reddish-brown  color. 

A  species  from  the  borders  of  the  Mediterranean,  and 
found  in  most  of  the  countries  along  the  coast.  It  grows 
generally  about  8  or  10  feet  in  height,  according  to  the 
soil  and  situation,  some  plants  exceeding  that  size,  while 
others  are  but  small  shrubs.  We  are  afraid  this  Juniper 
will  not  prove  hardy  in  the  Middle  States,  as  our  experi- 
ence with  it  has  been  quite  variable.  It  must  consequently 


280  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

be  planted  in  a  sheltered  and  very  favorable  spot  to  secure 
any  chance  of  success. 

Var.  brevifolia,  EndUcher. — This  is  no  hardier  than 
the  species,  but  is  a  larger  tree,  more  compact  in  growth, 
and  has  smaller  foliage. 


§  II.-SJLYIN 

Leaves  in  opposite  pairs,  mostly  awl-shaped,  slightly 
divergent,  and  loosely  imbricated  in  the  adult  plants. 
Fruit  mostly  small  and  numerous. 

9.  J.  densa,  Gordon. — DENSE-GROWING  INDIAN  JUNI- 
PER.— Syn.  J.  recurva  densa,  Hort,  &c. — Leaves,  in  whorls 
of  three,  half  spreading,  linear-lanceolate,  very  acute,  pun- 
gent, a  pale  yellowish-green,  and  about  a  third  of  an  inch 
long.  Berries  solitary,  the  size  and  shape  of  a  small  pea, 
dark  blue,  covered  with  a  glaucous  bloom,  extremely  res- 
inous, aromatic,  and  mostly  three-seeded;  with  three 
divergent  furrows  on  the  apex,  connected  at  the  extrem- 
ities by  an  elevated  scale,  and  thus  forming  a  kind  of  plat- 
form on  the  top,  with  three  lateral  scales  lower  down  the 
sides  of  the  berry.  The  whole  plant  emits  an  exceedingly 
strong  turpentine  or  resinous  smell  when  bruised,  and  the 
berries  ripen  from  August  to  November." — Gordon. 

This  species,  lately  brought  into  notice  under  a  new  name 
by  Gordon  in  his  supplement  to  the  Pinetum,  had  been 
previously  confounded  with  the  J.  recurva.  According 
to  this  author,  it  is  very  distinct  from  the  latter,  being 
"  easily  distinguished  by  its  dwarf,  dense  habit,  and  small, 
3-seeded  fruit,  while  that  of  Juniperus  recurva  has  but  a 
single  seed  in  each  berry."  It  generally  grows  from  3  to 
6  feet  high,  somewhat  resembling  J.  squamata  in  appear- 
ance, but  not  so  spreading  in  its  growth.  The  tint  of  its 
foliage  is  of  a  pale  yellowish-green.  Gordon  enumerates 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  281 

a  number  of  localities  where  this  species  is  found.  It  is 
plentiful  on  the  Bhotan  Alps,  and  in  Kunawur,  at  differ- 
ent elevations,  ranging  from  9,500  to  14,000  feet. 

We  have  received  plants  from  Belgium,  bearing  the 
foregoing  description,  under  the  name  of  Jl  recurva  densa, 
but  as  to  the  character  of  the  fruit,  we  are  unable  at  pres- 
ent to  say.  The  high  elevations  at  which  it  is  frequently 
found  should  encourage  us  to  test  it  fairly,  as  it  will  prob- 
ably prove  very  desirable  in  a  collection. 

10.  J.  excclsa,  Beiberstein. — TALL  JUNIPER. — Leaves, 
small,  awl-shaped,  very  acute,  imbricated,  thick,  rigid,  pale 
glaucous-green  color.  Branches  numerous,  spreading,  in- 
curved at  the  extremities,  thick,  short,  with  rigid,  straight 
branchlets.  Fruit  medium  size,  roundish,  solitary,  terminal, 
dark  purple  color,  with  a  glaucous  bloom. 

The  confusion  arising  from  the  fact  that  there  are  two 
distinct  plants  known  as  the  Jl  excelsa,  does  not  in  any 
way  relate  to  their  resemblance,  but  originated  through  a 
misunderstanding  on  the  part  of  botanists  in  the  East  In- 
dies, who  claimed  the  name  of  J.  excelsa  for  the  very  dis- 
tinct species  now  known  as  J.  religiosa.  So  far  as  we 
of  the  Middle  States  are  concerned,  the  dispute  is  of  very 
little  consequence,  both  species  being  entirely  too  capri- 
cious for  our  climate. 

The  true  JT.  excelsa  is  but  a  large-sized  shrub  with  us, 
whilst  in  its  native  locality  it  forms  a  tree  from  30  to  40 
feet  in  height.  It  is  a  native  of  Southern  Europe,  and  is 
found  in  Taurica,  Armenia,  Syria,  etc.  The  branches  are 
very  numerous,  spreading  and  ascending  at  their  extrem- 
ities, with  a  profusion  of  foliage,  and  furnished  with  nu- 
merous small,  stiff  branchlets. 

Its  hardiness  is  very  variable ;  sometimes  it  resists  our 
winters  with  impunity,  but  it  is  more  frequently  killed  to 
the  ground.  By  affording  it  a  slight  protection,  and  plac- 
ing it  in  a  partially  shaded  situation,  it  is  sometimes  rea- 


282  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

sonably  satisfactory.  This  species  must  not  be  confounded 
with  the  J.  excelsa  of  Pursh  and  Lewis,  which  we  find 
occasionally  described,  as  a  North  American  species. 
Pursh's  plant  is  the  J.  occidentalis  of  Hooker,  and  J.  an- 
dina  of  Nuttall,  a  very  different  plant  from  the  one  under 
notice. 

Carriere  mentions  a  very  pretty  variegated  variety,  ill 
which  the  leaves  and  branches  are  spotted. 

11.  J,  prostrata,  Persoon. — PROSTRATE  JUNIPER. — Syn. 
J.  procumbens,  Pursh;  J.  Sabina  prostrata,  Loudon;  J. 
repens,  Nuttall,  &c.,  &c. — Leaves,  short,  awl-shaped, 
acute,  loosely  imbricated,  crowded,  dark  shining-green 
color.  Branches,  trailing,  slender,  and  spreading.  Fruit 
quite  small,  solitary,  nearly  globular,  very  dark  purplish 
color  with  a  glaucous  bloom. 

This  hardy  creeping  plant  is  from  the  northern  portions 
of  our  continent,  extending  along  the  Lakes  to  north-west 
America. 

Nuttall  speaks  of  finding  it  along  the  shores  of  Lake 
Huron,  and  says,  "It  is  a  very  distinct  species,  being 
wholly  prostrate,  and  spreading  along  the  ground  in  very 
wide  circles."  This  species  is,  however,  very  distinct 
from  the  J.  procumbens  of  Siebold,  as  that  is  but  a  syn- 
onym of  the  J.  Japonica  of  Carriere,  and  a  native  of  Japan. 

Having  before  alluded  to  the  beauty  of  this  plant, 
when  growing  on  rockeries  with  other  trailing  Conifers, 
it  only  remains  for  us  to  recommend  it  in  the  strongest 
terms.  It  is  entirely  hardy,  a  remarkably  vigorous  grower, 
and  with  a  dark  green  color.  We  have  seen  this  plant 
trained  up  a  stake,  when  a  graceful  and  pretty  effect  was 
produced  p  and  thus,  in  like  manner,  it  may  be  made  to 
cover  unsightly  objects,  provided  such  are  not  too  high. 
Perhaps  the  finest  specimens  in  cultivation  are  those  at 
Princeton,  mentioned  by  Sargent  in  his  edition  of  Down- 
ing's  Landscape  Gardening.  They  form  a  complete  mass 


THE   CTPEESS   SUB-FAMILY.  283 

of  rich  green  verdure,  not  exceeding  2  feet  in  height,  and 
at  least  30  feet  in  circumference. 

The  destructive  little  aphides  are  particularly  injurious 
to  these  trailing  species,  and  we  have  noticed  whole  beds 
of  young  plants  of  the  Prostrate  Juniper  entirely  killed  by 
their  depredations.  A  large  plant  in  our  own  collection, 
several  years  of  age,  was  recently  destroyed  in  one  season 
by  these  pests.  The  best  remedy  for  ridding  the  plant  of 
them  is  to  sprinkle  the  foliage  frequently  with  hot  tobacco 
water,  which  usually  destroys  insect  life  after  a  few  appli- 
cations. 

12.  J.  rccurvaj  Don. — RECURVED-BRANCHED  JUNIPER. 
— Syn.  J.  Nepalensis,  Rinz;  J.  repanda,  JETort. — Leaves, 
medium  length,  lanceolate,  spreading,  acute,  glaucous- 
green  color.  Branches  covered  with  scaly  bark,  drooping, 
with  pendulous  branchlets.  Fruit,  somewhat  oval,  shin- 
ing, very  dark  purple  color,  monospermous. 

This  species  is  quite  distinct  from  J.  densa,  although  the 
latter,  according  to  the  first  edition  of  Gordon,  was  con- 
sidered to  be  the  male  plant  of  this  species,  and  known  as 
J.  recurva  densa. 

The  J.  recurva  is  a  native  of  Bhotan  and  Nepal,  where 
it  is  found  at  elevations  varying  from  9,000  or  10,000  feet 
to  14,000  or  15,000  feet.  In  the  former  it  generally  grows 
to  the  height  of  70  or  80  feet,  but  in  the  latter  it  is  only 
a  creeping  alpine  shrub. 

It  is  about  equally  hardy  with  the  Jl  densa,  but  not 
sufficiently  so  to  recommend  for  general  cultivation.  Both 
belong  to  that  class  of  Conifers  which  cannot  be  called 
exactly  half-hardy,  but  uncertain  and  unsatisfactory,  occa- 
sionally succeeding  very  well,  and  again  becoming  browned 
and  severely  injured.  A  partially  shaded  situation  should 
invariably  be  given  them. 

In  beauty,  this  Juniper  must  certainly  be  considered 
unexcelled,  and  we  regret  exceedingly  that  its  capricious 


284  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

nature,  or  our  variable  climate  rather,  will  not  allow  us  to 
enjoy  its  beauties  in  perfection.  A  perfectly  healthy  spec- 
imen is  one  of  the  most  elegant  little  trees  within  our 
knowledge.  There  is  such  an  air  of  gracefulness  and  light- 
ness in  the  easy  rounded  curve  of  each  little  branchlet,  that 
it  is  certain  to  command  the  admiration  of  every  lover  of 
the  family.  Two  remarkable  characteristics  in  this  species 
are  shown  in  the  rough  bark,  curling  and  peeling  off,  and 
the  very  peculiar  chaffy  adult  leaves.  These  never  vary, 
and  readily  enable  us  to  distinguish  it  from  all  others. 

13.  J.  religiosa,  Royle. — SACRED  OR  INCENSE  JUNIPER. 
— Syn.  J.  excelsa,  Madden,  <fcc.,  &c. — Leaves,  very  vari- 
able in  size  and  position,  the  rows  occasionally  disposed 
ternately,  but  mostly  quaternate ;  either  acute  or  some- 
what obtuse,  imbricated,  slender,  glaucous,  and  bright 
green  in  color.  Branches,  irregular,  quite  numerous,  and 
drooping.  Branchlets,  drooping  and  slender.  Fruit,  small, 
spherical,  aromatic,  resinous,  smooth,  and  dark  purple  in 
color. 

Although  this  plant  is  so  frequently  and  unjustifiably 
confounded  with  the  true  J.  excelsa  of  Bieberstein,  it  does 
not,  however,  resemble  that  species  in  appearance.  The 
name  of  <T.  excelsa  was  first  given  this  species  by  the  writ- 
ers on  Indian  Conifers,  without  a  knowledge  of  the  fact 
that  another  Juniper  already  claimed  the  title.  The  name 
was,  therefore,  changed  to  «7!  religiosa  by  Royle,  which  is 
the  correct  and  only  proper  name  recognized  by  botanists. 
It  has  also  been  erroneously  confounded  with  Cupressus 
torulosa,  which  it  very  slightly  resembles,  but  from  which 
it  is  widely  distinct  in  fruit  and  other  characters. 

The  J.  religiosa  is  found  generally  in  the  mountainous 
districts  of  Nepal,  Bootan,  and  Sikkim,  at  very  high 
elevations,  decreasing  in  size  as  it  approaches  the  highest 
limits,  until  it  forms  but  a  small,  uninteresting  shrub.  In 
the  more  congenial  districts,  however,  at  elevations  vary- 
ing from  7,000  to  12,000  feet,  it  assumes  its  greatest  dimen- 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  285 

sions,  and  is  really  a  magnificent  tree,  generally  attaining 
a  height  of  from  50  to  75  feet,  although  Madden  mentions 
a  solitary  specimen,  growing  in  the  neighborhood  of  one 
of  the  Indian  temples,  that  measured  100  feet  high,  and 
was  13  feet  in  circumference,  5  feet  from  the  ground. 

The  specific  name  was  given  on  account  of  the  reverence 
in  which  it  is  held  in  India  by  the  Buddhists.  For  pur- 
poses of  incense  the  young  twigs  are  coated  with  goats- 
grease,  and  burned  in  the  temples  on  important  festive 
days.  The  scent  of  the  wood,  foliage,  and  berries,  is 
highly  aromatic,  but  they  are  exceedingly  nauseous  to  the 
taste.  The  wood  is  of  the  same  color  as  that  of  many 
other  species  that  are  used  in  the  manufacture  of  lead 
pencils,  and  would  doubtless  answer  the  same  purpose,  it 
being  of  a  peculiar  cinnamon-red,  as  well  as  soft  and  fine- 
grained. 

Our  experience  with  this  species  as  an  ornamental  plant 
is  very  limited  in  regard  to  out-door  cultivation,  although 
we  have  had  it  in  pot  culture  for  several  years;  but  in  the 
collection  of  H.  W.  Sargent  it  is  entirely  hardy.  This 
tree,  when  perfectly  healthy,  and  in  a  suitable  locality, 
grows  rapidly,  and  assumes  much  the  same  character  that 
distinguishes  the  handsome  Cupressus  torulosa.  The  main 
body  of  the  tree  is  straight  and  smooth,  with  the  branches 
very  numerous,  and  curving  gracefully  at  the  extremities. 

14.  J,  Sab  inn,  Linnceus. — SAVIN  JUNIPER. — Leaves, 
small  or  medium,  oval,  awl-shaped,  acute,  imbricated. 
Branches,  ramified,  spreading,  with  a  reddish-brown  bark. 
Fruit,  small,  oval,  or  globular,  very  smooth,  dark  purple 
color,  mostly  monospermous. 

A  native  of  the  mountains  of  Europe — on  the  Alps, 
Apennines,  and  Pyrenees ;  as  well  as  in  the  northern  sec- 
tions of  North  America — in  Canada,  &c.  It  belongs  to 
the  trailing  class  of  Junipers,  although  an  upright  form  is 
occasionally  met  with.  The  branches  are  very  numerous, 


286  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

and  form  a  compact,  irregular  mass ;  the  branches  become 
destitute  of  foliage  as  they  increase  in  age  and  size. 

In  former  years,  when  the  more  desirable  trailing  species 


Fig.  35.— JUNIPERUS   SABINA. 


were  unknown,  the  Savin  was  very  generally  cultivated 
for  ornament,  especially  in  the  topiary  work,  which  for  a 
time  was  so  much  the  fashion  ;  but,  thanks  to  a  more  cor- 


THE   CYPEESS   SUB-FAMILY.  287 

rect  taste,  this  style  of  gardening  is  now  almost  obsolete. 
In  wild,  rocky  landscapes,  and  for  covering  rough,  unsightly 
features  on  a  lawn,  this  species  may  be  the  means  of  creat- 
ing excellent  effects ;  but  as  a  specimen  plant,  we  woulct  not 
recommend  it.  True,  a  bed  of  young  plants,  owing  to 
their  healthy,  vigorous  growth,  and  peculiar,  sombre-hued 
foliage,  presents  an  attractive  appearance,  but  as  they  grow 
older,  this  effect  is  considerably  marred  by  their  ragged 
aspect,  and  hence  their  beauty  is  lost,  and  the  tree  can 
only  be  valuable  as  adding  to  a  picturesque,  rugged 
scene,  and  should  not  be  used  on  an  ornamental,  well- 
kept  lawn. 

The  medicinal  properties  of  the  Savin  Juniper  have 
long  been  known.  The  ancients  used  it  as  a  diuretic,  and 
for  cleansing  ulcers. 

Var,  cupressifolia,  Alton. — CYPRESS-LEAVED  SAVIN. — 
This  very  distinct  and  attractive  plant  has  been  classed  by 
Gordon  as  a  synonym  of  the  species,  but  as  to  habit  they 
are  quite  distinct.  That  authority  says :  "  This  is  a  name 
mostly  applied  to  the  female  form  of  the  Common  Savin, 
which  in  general  grows  much  taller  and  more  robust  than 
the  male  form  of  the  species."  With  us  this  variety  is 
very  decided  in  its  character,  having  much  lighter  colored 
foliage,  with  more  slender  branchlets,  and  less  rambling 
in  growth  than  the  true  form  of  the  species.  The  foliage 
of  this  variety  in  a  perfectly  healthy  specimen  is  of  almost 
a  silvery  glaucous  hue,  and  much  more  desirable  than  the 
Common  Savin. 

Var,  tamariscifolia,  Alton. — TAMAEISK-LEAVED  SAVINT. 
— Syn.  J.  Sabinoides,  Griseb. — This  is  classed  by  Gordon 
as  a  distinct  species.  Our  plants  lead  us  to  support  the 
classification  of  Alton,  that  it  is  nothing  more  than  a  mere 
form  of  the  Savin  Juniper,  with  longer  and  only  half- 
opened  leaves.  Both  this  variety  and  the  one  preceding 
it,  according  to  Loudon,  "  were  in  cultivation  in  British 


288  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

gardens  before  1548,  as  they  are  mentioned  in  Turner's 
Names  of  Herbs -,  <#<?.,  published  in  that  year." 

Var.  variegata,  London. — VARIEGATED-LEAVED  SAVIN. 
— A  very  distinct  and  prettily  marked  variety,  equally  as 
hardy  as  the  parent,  and  valuable  for  inserting  in  a  group 
of  dwarf  evergreens,  on  rock-work,  etc.  A  portion  of  the 
leaves  are  pure  white,  intermixed  with  pale  lemon  yellow 
and  the  usual  dark,  sombre  green  of  the  species.  It  is  not 
so  vigorous  in  growth  as  its  parent,  however. 

15.  J.  sqnamata,  Don. — SCALED  JUNIPER. — Syn.  J. 
dumosa,  "Wallich,  &c. — Leaves,  medium  size,  or  small, 
oblong,  imbricated,  smooth,  convex  externally,  adult  ones, 
mostly  acute ;  young  leaves,  obtuse,  with  an  inflexed  point ; 
becoming  persistent,  scale-like,  and  ending  in  a  very  long 
mucro  when  old;  green  above,  and  glaucous  below. 
Branches,  numerous,  large,  reclinate,  with  brownish-purple, 
scaly  bark.  Fruit  ovate,  or  nearly  elliptical,  solitary,  nu- 
merous, on  short,  scaly  peduncles,  light  red  or  dark  bluish- 
purple. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  all  the  trailing 
Conifers.  The  older  plants  become  remarkably  beautiful, 
not  only  in  shape,  but  in  the  delicate  glaucous  tint  that 
pervades  every  portion  of  the  foliage.  It  was  introduced 
into  England  in  the  year  1824,  and  into  this  country  soon 
afterward.  It  speedily  became  popular,  and  is  now  one 
of  the  standard  evergreen  shrubs  in  all  good  collections. 

It  is  a  native  of  the  Himalayas  at  high  elevations,  and 
is  quite  plentiful  in  Nepal  and  Bootan,  especially  on  the 
higher  ranges.  On  the  former  range  of  mountains  it  is 
found  at  the  elevation  of  15,000  feet,  although  below  the 
perpetual  snow  region. 

In  some  localities,  particularly  on  the  Choor  Mountains, 
this  species  forms  vast  and  'almost  impenetrable  thickets, 
and  covers  the  rugged  sides  of  the  mountains  with  its 
numerous  and  dense  branches. 

Sargent  gives  an  excellent  engraving  of  a  specimen  of 


THE    CYPKESS    SUB-FAMILY.  289 


Fig.  36.— JUNIPERUS  SQUAMATA. 


13 


290  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

this  plant,  now  growing  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  in  the  col- 
lection of  R.  S.  Field,  Esq.,  which  shows  to  what  perfec- 
tion it  can  be  grown.  When  quite  young,  the  plants  are 
prostrate  and  trail  along  the  ground,  but  as  it  gradually 
increases  in  age,  it  assumes  a  compact,  conical  form,  and 
creates  a  fine  effect  on  the  lawn. 

It  is  very  valuable  for  rockeries,  and  always  conveys  an 
agreeable  impression,  more  particularly  when  used  with 
the  darker  J.  prostrata.  An  experience  of  several  years 
with  this  species  has  increased  our  admiration  for  it,  and 
we  would  recommend  every  lover  of  the  beautiful  to  in- 
troduce this  hardy  and  lovely  little  plant  into  his  collec- 
tion. 

16.  J.  thuriferaj  Linnaeus.  —  SPANISH  JUNIPER.  — 
Leaves,  quite  small,  awl-shaped,  acute,  imbricated  in  four 
rows,  glandless,  very  rigid,  spreading,  light  glaucous  green 
color.  Branches.,  numerous,  spreading,  and  incurved  at 
the  apex.  Fruit,  large,  ovate,  or  obovate,  solitary,  ter- 
minal on  the  branches,  very  dark  color,  covered  with  a 
fine  glaucous  bloom. 

The  true  Spanish  Juniper  is  a  native  of  Spain  and  Por- 
tugal, where  it  is  found  at  considerable  elevations  on  the 
mountains.  It  forms  a  beautiful  ornamental  tree  30  or  40 
feet  in  height,  very  compact  and  conical  in  shape,  with 
numerous  branches  that  clothe  the  tree  from  the  ground, 
and  which  are  also  gracefully  incurved,  thus  producing  a 
pleasing  effect.  The  bran chlets  are  exceedingly  numerous, 
and  produce  a  dense  mass  of  foliage,  and  when  to  that  is 
added  a  crop  of  large,  dark  berries,  the  effect  is  beautiful. 

We  make  the  following  extracts  from  London,  from 
which  we  may  infer  it  succeeds  well  in  England.  "  Cul- 
tivated in  1752,  by  Miller.  There  is  a  tree  at  Mr.  Lam- 
bert's seat,  at  Boyton,  which  in  1837  was  28  feet  high, 
with  a  trunk  9  inches  in  diameter ;  one  at  Bagshot  Park, 
12  years  old,  which  is  12  feet  high,  and  one  at  Croome,  40 
years  planted,  which  is  30  feet  high." 


THE    CYPEESS   SUB-FAMILY.  291 

Our  own  experience  with  this  tree,  some  years  since, 
was  so  discouraging  that  we  discontinued  its  cultivation, 
but  we  are  pleased  to  learn  it  is  succeeding  well  with  some 
cultivators  on  the  Hudson  River,  in  "New  York.  Possibly 
our  own  plants  may  not  have  been  correct,  although  they 
answered  to  the  descriptions  in  English  works. 

17.  J.  Virginiana,  Linnmus. — RED  CEDAE. — Leaves, 
very  small,  scale-like  on  the  adult  branches,  but  larger, 
awl-shaped  or  subulate,  and  spreading,  on  the  young  shoots, 
very  numerous,  closely  imbricated,  and  dark  green  color. 
Branches,  mostly  horizontal,  with  thin,  scaling  bark. 
Fruit,  small,  dark-purple,  numerous,  and  covered  with  a 
fine  glaucous  bloom. 

This  valuable  native  species  is  found  from  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  to  our  northern  boundary  along  the  lakes ;  it  great- 
ly prefers  a  mild  climate,  and  is,  in  consequence,  much 
more  rare  and  smaller  in  size  to  the  northward.  At  the 
extreme  South,  it  does  not  assume  its  finest  appearance, 
excepting  along  the  coast. 

The  Red  Cedar,  in  suitable  locations,  will  grow  to  the 
height  of  30  or  40  feet,  and  is  generally  admired  for  its 
very  dark  color  and  dense  habit  of  growth.  In  this  latter 
particular,  however,  as  well  as  in  its  general  outline,  per- 
haps no  species  is  so  variable.  We  have  often  noticed  a 
natural  grove,  consisting  of  at  least  one  hundred  trees,  in 
which  there  are  not  two  specimens  exactly  alike  in  every 
particular.  Occasionally  they  shoot  up  like  tall,  dark 
green  columns,  and  again  others  form  a  regular,  conical 
head.  More  rarely,  trees  are  noticed  with  drooping  branches 
or  a  spreading  top,  not  unlike  an  ancient  Cedar  of  Lebanon. 
The  great  diversity  presented  by  this  species  is  useful  in 
landscape  gardening,  as  groups  composed  of  a  variety  of 
forms  are  invariably  admired.  Upon  arriving  at  old  age, 
the  Red  Cedar  mostly  becomes  very  picturesque  in  ap- 
pearance, and  even  the  formal  character,  that  is  so  peculiar 
in  some  varieties,  is  lost  in  the  change  that  usually  occurs. 


292 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 


The  timber  furnished  by  the  Red  Cedar  is  exceedingly 
valuable,  being  light,  fine-grained,  compact,  and  durable. 
The  heart- wood  is  of  a  very  handsome  dark  red  color,  and 
is  susceptible  of  a  fine  polish.  It  is  highly  odorous  through- 
out, and  is  used  for  a  great  variety  of  ornamental  work, 


Fig.  37. 


TWO-THIRD    SIZE. 


as  well  as  for  more  useful  purposes.  In  the  manufacture 
of  lead-pencils  it  is  in  great  demand,  being  as  well  adapted 
to  that  purpose  as  the  more  rare  J.  Bermudiana. 

For  hedging,  this  species  is  unfortunately  badly  adapted, 
the  lower  limbs  always  dying  out,  and  the  foliage  becoming 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  293 

browned  and  unhealthy,  thus  producing  an  unpleasant 
impression.  For  grouping  where  shelter  is  required,  the 
trees  should  not  be  set  too  closely  together,  and  thus  they 
may  be  preserved  in  all  their  natural  beauty,  and  form  an 
impassable  barrier  to  the  high  winds. 

This  species,  owing  to  its  great  liability  to  sport,  has 
furnished  several  distinct  varieties ;  some  are  perhaps  un- 
worthy of  being  perpetuated,  whilst  others  are  even  more 
handsome  than  the  parent.  A  variety  of  this  species  is 
found  in  New  Mexico  with  the  leaves  all  scale-like,  and 
the  berries  a  little  larger. 

Var,  Barbadcnsis,  London. — BARBADOES  CEDAR. — 
Syn.  J.  Gossainthanea,  Loddiges;  J.  Bedfordiana,  Knight; 
J.  Virgiuiana  australis,  Carriere. — The  Barbadoes  Cedar 
is  found  growing  mostly  in  the  Bahama  Islands  and  in 
Florida,  near  the  coast.  The  leaves  are  less  scattered,  and 
more  closelv  imbricated  than  in  the  species.  Although 
pronounced  tender  in  England,  yet,  singular  to  say,  it  is 
tolerably  hardy  and  fine  with  us.  It  is  very  compact  in 
growth,  with  long,  slender  branches,  and  narrow,  sharp- 
pointed  leaves  of  a  light  green  color.  Altogether  quite 
distinct  in  appearance  from  the  Common  Red  Cedar. 

Var,  pendula,-£Tor£. — WEEPING  RED  CEDAR. — Syn.  var. 
Chamberlaini,  JETort,  &c. — According  to  Gordon's  supple- 
ment, it  appears  there  are  three  distinct  forms  of  the  species 
in  cultivation,  with  a  decidedly  drooping  tendency;  but 
the  best  is  the  one  here  described.  One  with  light  green, 
glossy  foliage  is  frequently  known  as  var.pendala  viridis. 
The  variety  under  consideration  has  a  remarkably  droop- 
ing habit,  with  both  branches  and  branchlets  as  pendent 
as  those  of  the  Babylonian  Willow.  These  long,  slender 
shoots  are  exceedingly  numerous,  and  present  an  unique 
and  quite  attractive  appearance. 

Var.  glauca,  Hort. — GLAUCOUS-LEAVED  RED  CEDAR. — 
Syn.  var.  cinerascens,  Hort;  var.  argentea,  of  Van  Houtttfs 


294  THE   BOOK    OP   EVERGREENS. 

Catalogue. — This  differs  from  the  species  in  its  light  glau- 
cous color ;  thus  imparting  to  the  tree  a  silvery  appear- 
ance, quite  in  contrast  to  the  usual  type.  It  is  as  hardy 
with  us  as  the  common  form. 

Tar.  variegata  alba,  and  aurea,  Sort. — VARIEGATED- 
LEAVED  RED  CEDARS. — The  first  of  these  varieties  is  pret- 
tily marked  with  white  spots  and  stripes,  and  the  latter 
has  yellow  marblings.  Owing  to  the  dark  hue  of  the 
foliage,  these  variegations  are  more  conspicuous  than 
usual,  and  to  be  recommended  to  lovers  of  $uch  sports. 

Var,  Carolmiana,  Loddiges,  is  thus  described  by  Gor- 
don :  "  A  fine  upright  variety,  with  a  compact  habit,  and 
leaves  more  or  less  spreading,  acerose  or  lanceolate,  de- 
current,  scattered,  and  glaucous  on  the  upper  surface. 
Berries  very  small,  oval,  and  of  a  violet  color  when  ripe." 

Var,  (lumosa,  Carrier e. — Syn.  J.  Scholli,  Hort. — Gor- 
don says  of  this  :  "  A  bushy  variety  of  the  Red  Cedar, 
with  a  roundish,  spreading,  but  compact  head,  largest  at 
the  top,  and  with  the  leaves  either  very  acute  pointed, 
spreading  and  straight,  or  scale-formed,  and  closely  im- 
bricated in  four*  rows."  We  obtained  this  a  number  of 
years  since  from  a  French  collection,  and  if  we  have  the 
true  plant,  do  not  consider  it  of  sufficient  interest  to  re- 
commend-it  for  cultivation. 


§3.— CYPRESS-L.IKE  JUNIPERS.— CUPRESSOIDES. 

Leaves,  in  opposite  pairs,  four-rowed,  small,  scale-formed, 
and  closely  imbricated  in  the  adult  plants.  Fruit,  more 
or  less  angular,  and  furnished  with  external  bracts,  or 
humps. 

18,  J,  caosia,  Carrier  e. — GLAUCOUS  JUNIPER. — Syn.  J. 
alba,  Knight ;  J.  fragrans,  Paul. — "Leaves  opposite,  with 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  295 

the  primordial  ones,  and  those  on  the  lower  parts  of  young 
plants,  and  frequently  some  of  those  on  the  points  of  the 
outer  shoots,  more  or  less  spreading,  lanceolate,  and  very 
glaucous  on  the  upper  surface,  while  those  on  the  upper 
and  more  exposed  parts,  as  well  as  those  on  the  adult 
plants,  are  much  shorter,  broader,  very  closely  imbricated 
in  four  rows,  of  a  glaucous  gray,  and  terminating  in  a 
more  or  less  blunt  point.  Branches  and  branchlets,  alter- 
nate, more  or  less  ascending,  numerous,  very  compact,  and 
forming  a  pyramidal,  or  somewhat  cylindrical  head,  a  little 
spreading  at  the  top." — Gordon. 

Camera  says  it  is  found  in  the  north  of  Europe,  grow- 
ing from  10  to  15  feet  in  height,  and  emitting  a  strong 
fragrance  when  bruised.  Having  received  young  plants 
under  all  the  above  names  from  foreign  sources,  and  found 
them  all  singularly  alike,  we  were  quite  ready  to  consider 
them  the  same  species,  when  Gordon  so  described  and  ar- 
ranged them.  It  has  proven  to  be  quite  hardy  in  this 
country,  and  is  really  one  of  the  most  handsome  and  dis- 
tinct Junipers.  We  have  never  seen  either  the  flowers  or 
fruit,  and  can  find  no  account  of  them  in  other  works  than 
Gordon's  Supplement.  It  is  the  Jl  dealtata  of  London, 
although  totally  distinct  from  the  plant  of  that  name  de- 
scribed by  Douglas.  It  has  also  been  called  J.  occidental  is, 
but  differs  very  much  from  Hooker's  species  of  that  name. 

We  have  found  it  extremely  difficult  to  propagate  by 
cuttings,  and  on  that  account  it  will  doubtless  be  among 
the  rarer  shrubs  for  several  years  to  corne.  On  account 
of  its  perfect  hardiness,  its  silvery  glaucous  foliage,  and 
general  beauty  of  outline,  we  have  no  hesitation  in  advanc- 
ing the  claims  of  this  apparently  unknown  but  deserving 
Conifer. 

19.  J«  Chinensis,  Linno&m. — CHINESE  JUNIPER. — Syn. 
Sterile  plant,  J.  Thunbergii,  Hooker;  Fertile  plant,  J. 
flagelliformis,  Reeves  /  J.  struthiacea,  Knight,  &c. — Ster- 
ile plant,  leaves  in  ternate  whorls,  dissimilar  in  shape,  but 
mostly  lanceolate,  very  acute,  sessile,  rigid,  numerous  or 


296 


THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 


Fig.  38.— JUNIPERUS  CHINENSIS,   FEKTILE  PLANT. 


THE    CYPEESS    SUB-FAMILY. 


297 


distantly  disposed,  spreading  or  glaucous-green  in  color. 

Branches  numerous,  spreading,  "incurved,  catkins  very 

numerous,  bright  yellow 
color,  and  covering  the 
plant  with  their  golden 
hued  pollen  at  maturity. 
fertile  plant,  leaves, 
small,  scale-formed,  loose- 
ly imbricated,  and  plac- 
ed binately.  Branch- 
es, numerous,  spread- 
ing, drooping,  somewhat 
slender.  Fruit  small, 
variable  in  shape,  gener- 
ally oblong,  or  spherical, 
one  or  two  seeded,  and 
of  a  peculiar  dark  violet 
color,  with  a  glaucous 
bloom. 

The  Chinese  Juniper, 
as  commonly  known  in 
our  nurseries,  is  the  male 
form,  J.  Chinensis  mas 
of  Linnaeus,  and  is  a 
large  conical  shaped 
shrub,  attaining  the 
height  of  15  or  20  feet  at 
maturity.  The  branches 
are  very  numerous,  up- 
right, and  inclined  to 
spreading,  with  various- 
ly shaped  leaves.  When 
in  bloom,  it  is  very 
beautiful ;  the  great  pro- 
fusion of  flowers  shed 
their  pollen  in  such  large 
quantities  that  the  shrub 
is  often  completely  overspread  with  the  golden-tinted 
13* 


Fig'.  39.— JUNIPERUS  CHINENSIS, 
STERILE   PLANT. 


298  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

powder.  The  female  form,  or  JT.  Chinensis  foemina  of 
Linnaeus,  has  numerous,  long,  spreading,  and  drooping 
branches ;  hence  the  specific  name  of  Reeves.  It  is  very 
distinct  from  the  male,  not  only  in  color,  but  in  manner 
of  growth  and  outline. 

These  large  shrubs,  or,  rather,  small  trees,  are  natives  of 
Japan  and  China,  where  they  are  quite  common  in  some 
districts  as  well  as  on  some  of  the  neighboring  islands. 
With  us  the  two  sexes  are  about  equally  hardy,  and  with- 
stand our  coldest  winters  with  impunity ;  and  such  has  been 
the  experience  of  others  in  a  more  trying  climate.  Notwith- 
standing it  is  well  adapted  to  our  country,  the  Chinese 
Juniper  will  never  be  a  popular  plant,  as  its  general  appear- 
ance approaches  so  very  near  to  that  of  our  Common  Red 
Cedar.  Any  plant  whatsoever  that  resembles  our  own 
native  species,  is,  in  the  phraseology  of  our  countrymen, 
"  common,"  and,  therefore,  to  be  regarded  as  of  no  value. 
We  may  be  considered  unduly  prejudiced  in  favor  of  our 
own  productions,  when  we  assert  that  we  would  vastly 
prefer  having  one  well-shaped,  thrifty  Red  Cedar  than  a 
dozen  half-hardy  foreigners  of  doubtful  character. 

The  shape  and  density  of  the  male  form  of  the  Chinese 
Juniper  is  greatly  improved  by  clipping  the  outer  ends  of 
all  the  branches,  preserving  at  the  same  time  a  perfect 
conical  form.  We  have  found  this  clipping  process  to  be 
advantageous  to  the  whole  genus,  and  more  particularly 
to  the  spreading  species  and  varieties. 

With  an  experience  of  twelve  or  fourteen  years  with  this 
species,  we  never  could  admire  it  to  that  degree  which 
some  writers  have  professed.  The  male  form  is  entirely 
too  stiff  and  formal  in  growth  to  please  onr  ideas  of  sym- 
metry and  gracefulness ;  moreover,  the  foliage  is  apt  to 
lose  its  vitality  on  the  lower  branches.  The  female  form, 
however,  is  not  liable  to  these  objections,  and  is  a  preferable 
tree.  There  are  so  many  Conifers  more  eligible  than  these 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  299 

Chinese  Junipers,  that,  were  it  not  for  their  hardiness  in  all 
situations,  we  should  part  with  them  without  reluctance. 

19.  J.  occidentalis,  Hooker. — ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  JUNI- 
PER.— Syn.  J.  California,  Carriere  ;  J.  pyriformis,  Lind- 
ley  •  J.  andina,  Nuttall /  J.  excelsa,  Pursh  <&  Lewis. — 
Leaves  either  binate  or  ternate,  ovate  and  obtuse,  or  nee- 
dle-shaped and  acute,  closely  appressed,  imbricated  in 
three  or  four  rows,  resinous,  and  of  a  beautiful  silvery 
glaucous  green  color.  Branches,  spreading,  numerous, 
with  many  quadrangular  short  branchlets,  and  dark  color- 
ed bark.  Fruit,  medium  size,  roundish,  solitary,  dark 
purplish-brown  color  and  glaucous. 

This  fine  rare  species  is  described  with  an  accompanying 
colored  plate  in  Nuttall's  Sylva,  under  the  name  of  J. 
andina  /  and  the  author  appears  in  doubt  whether  it  really 
is  distinct  from  Jl  Occident alis  or  not. 

Their  identity  has  since  been  proven,  and  we  have 
therefore  arranged  them  as  above.  The  tree  usually  grows 
about  15  or  20  feet  high,  although  Douglas,  who  first  dis- 
covered it,  says  it  is  a  tree  60  or  80  feet  in  height ;  and 
Jeffrey,  as  well  as  Dr.  Newberry,  puts  it  at  40  feet. 

Nuttall  says  of  it :  "  On  passing  a  gorge  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  or  Northern  Andes,  and  approaching  Lewis' 
River  of  the  Oregon,  we  first  observed  this  curious  and 
elegant  tree,  accompanying  groves  of  the  American  Cem- 
bra  Pine,  spreading  for  miles  along  the  declivity  of  the 
mountains,  and  in  an  opposite  direction  ascending  well 
towards  the  summit  of  a  mountain,  which  still  presented 
patches  of  snow  in  the  month  of  July,  under  the  latitude 
of  about  42°." 

Its  habitat,  according  to  most  writers,  is  on  dry,  sandy 
or  rocky  soil,  but  it  has  been  occasionally  found  inhabit- 
ing the  rich  alluvial  bottoms  along  rivers  and  large  streams 
of  water.  The  great  diversity  of  size  in  different  speci- 
mens has  also  caused  dissension  among  the  various  discov* 
erers  in  relation  to  its  true  character.  Pursh,  in  descrifo- 


300  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

ing  it  under  the  erroneous  name  of  Jl  excelsa,  remarks,  it 
is  a  lofty,  elegant  tree ;  but  Nuttall  says :  "  As  a  tree  it  is 
neither  tall  nor  elegant,  but  sufficiently  singular  and  inter- 
esting." Douglas'  plant  was  remarkable  for  a  hollow 
gland  upon  the  back  of  the  leaf,  containing  a  clear,  odor- 
ous resin;  but  Nuttall  states  that  those  he  examined 
"were  certainly  without  any  appearance  of  glands." 
These  conflicting  statements  are  not  only  liable  to  mislead 
botanists,  but  to  cause  planters  to  question  whether  they 
have  the  true  plant.  Like  the  J.  ccesia,  this  species  emits 
a  disagreeable  odor  when  bruised. 

The  J.  Calif  ornica  of  Carriere  has  proven  to  be  syn- 
onymous with  the  J.  Occident  alls,  according  to  a  late  edi- 
tion of  Gordon.  It  was  also  mistaken  by  Knight,  who 
gave  it  the  name  of  O.  bacciformis.  Under  the  name  of 
J.  Calif  ornica  we  tested  this  species,  but  only  for  a  short 
time,  as  it  did  not  prove  sufficiently  hardy.  It  is  beauti- 
fully figured  in  the  Pacific  R.  R.  Reports. 

20.  J.  Phaenicia,  Linnwus. — PHOENICIAN  JUNIPER.-— 
Syn.  J.  tetragona,  Mcench. — Leaves,  ternately  disposed, 
or  opposite,  ovate,  obtuse,  closely  imbricated,  light  green 
color.  Branches,  numerous,  spreading,  and  covered  with 
reddish-brown  bark.  Fruit,  small,  or  medium  size,  irregu- 
larly spherical,  (containing  from  3  to  4  seeds);  light,  shin- 
ing yellow  color.  Flowers  dioecious,  occasionally  monoe- 
cious ;  the  two  sexes  greatly  resemble  each  other  in  the 
leaves,  and  manner  of  growth. 

This  Juniper  was  introduced  into  England  about  the 
year  1683,  from  the  Mediterranean,  where  it  grows  princi- 
pally on  rocky  soils,  and  forms  a  small  tree  about  15  or  20 
feet  high.  In  Sicily,  Greece,  Levant,  Calabria,  Barbary, 
and  the  south  of  France,  it  is  quite  frequently  met  with. 
Being  a  native  of  warm  climates,  it  appears  to  flourish  in 
the  Middle  States  with  but  indifferent  success,  and  we 
should  therefore  recommend  a  warm  exposure  and  light 
soil  when  selecting  a  suitable  place  for  its  culture. 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  801 

In  form  it  attains  to  a  perfect  cone  at  maturity,  with 
dense  branches,  that  are  almost  covered  with  quite  small, 
bright  green  leaves.  Loudon  says  the  berries  are  about 
the  size  of  a  pea,  and  pale  yellow  when  ripe,  which  is  not 
until  the  end  of  two  entire  years.  The  same  author  says 
it  is  much  less  common  in  collections  than  so  fine  a  shrub 
deserves  to  be.  The  female  form  of  this  species,  known  as 
J.  Phoenicia  fcemina  of  Linnaeus,  has  also  been  described 
as  J.  Langoldiana,  and  occasionally  as  Cupressus  Devon- 
iana. 

Var.  Lycia,  Loudon. — LYCIAN  JUNIPER. —  This  very 
distinct  variety  is  known  under  many  synonyms,  and  was 
considered  by  Linnseus  as  a  distinct  species.  It  is  scarcely 
as  large  as  the  usual  form,  and  more  shrubby  and  spread- 
ing in  character.  The  fruit  is  also  very  dark,  and  much 
larger  than  that  borne  by  the  species.  In  this  country 
we  find  it  no  hardier,  but  possibly  rather  more  handsome 
than  the  Phoenician  Juniper.  The  gum  known  as  oliba- 
num,  of  a  bitter,  pungent  taste  and  strong  odor,  and  which 
is  used  in  many  of  the  churches  during  particular  religious 
ceremonies,  is  extracted  from  this  tree.  Pallas  mentions 
the  Lycian  Juniper  as  growing  in  Siberia  as  a  creeping 
shrub.  It  is  entirely  hardy  in  England,  and  very  much 
admired. 

21,  J,  sphaerica,  Lindley. — GLOBULAR-FRUITED  JUNI- 
PER.— Syn.  J.  Fortunii,  of  Van  Houtte's  Catalogue ;  J. 
Ohinensis  Smithii,  Loudon. — Leaves,  small,  binate,  oppo- 
site, scale-formed,  obtuse,  imbricated,  spreading  at  the 
apex,  bright  green  color.  Branches,  numerous,  spreading, 
incurved,  slender,  with  many  quadrangular  small  branch- 
lets.  Fruit,  medium  to  large,  globular,  smooth,  light  vi- 
olet color. 

This  very  handsome  Juniper  is  unfortunately  too  tender 
for  our  climate, — at  least  such  has  been  our  own  experience, 
and  we  have  not  seen  it  in  any  other  collection.  In  the 
most  northern  portions  of  China,  according  to  Fortune,  it 


302  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

is  quite  abundant  and  forms  a  large  tree,  generally  reach- 
ing the  height  of  30  or  40  feet. 

As  it  is  a  native  of  a  cold  climate,  at  least  quite  as  much 
so  as  our  own,  we  felt  quite  sanguine  in  regard  to  its  suc- 
cess, but  our  experience  has  proven  the  reverse.  What 
effect  a  warm,  sheltered  situation  may  have  upon  it,  we  are 
unable  to  say  at  present.  It  was  introduced  into  the  Lon- 
don Horticultural  Society's  garden  about  the  year  1825  or 
before,  according  to  London,  who  bestowed  upon  it  the 
name  of  J.  CJiinensis  Smithii. 

Dr.  Lindley  says :  "  This  species  differs  from  JT.  Chinen- 
sis  apparently  in  not  having  any  acicular  leaves,  and  very 
decidedly  in  the  size  and  form  of  its  fruit,  which  is  twice 
as  large  as  in  that  species,  and  not  at  all  depressed  at  the 
end,  but  very  regularly  spherical." 

Var.  glauca,  Fortune. — Is  a  very  pleasing  new  variety, 
that  is  as  yet  quite  rare,  and  is  considered  by  some  to  be 
a  distinct  species.  It  was  discovered  by  Fortune  in  the 
north  of  China,  forming  a  tree  15  or  20  feet  high.  The 
foliage  is  beautifully  glaucous,  so  much  so,  in  fact,  as  to 
render  it  very  conspicuous,  even  at  a  considerable  distance 
from  the  tree. 

22.  J,  tctragona,  Schlecht,  (not  of  Mcench.} — TETRAG- 
ONAL JUNIPER. — Leaves,  small,  binate,  opposite  in  four 
rows,  ovate  or  scale-formed,  obtuse,  imbricated,  dark 
green  color.  Branches,  spreading,  incurved,  with  numer- 
ous, stiff,  quadrangular,  dense  branchlets.  Fruit,  small, 
spherical,  solitary,  dark  purple,  with  a  light  colored,  pretty, 
bloom. 

Another  species  that  has  proven  too  uncertain  with  us  to 
recommend  for  general  cultivation.  As  it  is  entirely  hardy 
in  England,  we  do  not  wish  to  discourage  its  trial  by  oth- 
ers in  this  country,  and  therefore  place  it  in  our  descrip- 
tive list,  with  a  hope  that  it  may  eventually  succeed  in 
gome  more  favored  spot  than  our  own.  Our  plant  was 


THE   CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  303 

much    exposed,  and    entirely  without    artificial   protec- 
tion. 

The  J.  tetragona  is  very  abundant  on  the  mountains  of 
Mexico,  especially  at  high  elevations,  and  forms  a  large 
spreading  bush  not  exceeding  4  or  5  feet  in  height.  It  is 
exceedingly  beautiful  and  well  worthy  of  trial.  The 
branches  are  numerous  and  spreading,  with  the  ends  in- 
curved, densely  covered  with  leaves  and  very  numerous, 
stiff,  spreading  branclilets.  This  species  must  not  be  con- 
founded with  J.  Phoenicia^  of.  Linnaeus,  which  latter  plant 
is  known  by  some  writers  on  the  Coniferse  as  J.  tetragona, 
of  Maench. 


ADDITIONAL    LIST    OF    JUNIPERUS. 

23.  J.  Cedro,  Broussonet. — Syn.  J.  Cedrus  and  J.  Web- 
bii,  Carriere ;   J.  Canariensis,  Knight. — This  charming 
Juniper  forms  a  small  tree  about  10  feet  in  height,  with 
horizontal   or  drooping  branches,   and  numerous,  rigid, 
straight,  mucronate  leaves,  of  a  bright  glaucous  color.     It 
is  a  native  of  the  Canary  Islands,  but  will  not  grow  here 
with  any  chance  of  success. 

24.  J,  Cerrosianus,  Kellogg. — CERROS  ISLAND  JUNIPER. 
—Is  a  new  species,  recently  brought  to  notice  by  Dr.  Kel- 
logg, who  published  a  description  of  it  in  the  Proceedings 
of  the  California  Acad.  of  Nat.  Sci.     The  leaves  are  mi- 
nute, ovate-acute,  appressed,  imbricated  in  6  rows,  with  an 
oblong  gland  on  the  back.      Berries  somewhat  oblong- 
ovoid,  of  6  to  8  oblong,  sub-peltate,  mucronate  scales,  co- 
hering into  a  3-seeded  berry.     Mature  fruit  snb-3-angled, 
more  or  less  tubercled,  with  oblong  ridges,  or  longitudinal 
ribs,  and  clothed  with  a  dense  blue  bloom.     Tree  of  slow 


304  THE    BOOK    OF   EVEKGKEENS. 

growth,  1  to  2  feet  in  diameter,  and  10  to  15  feet  in  height. 
Branches  dense,  horizontal  and  spreading.  Wood  heavy, 
fine-grained;  in  texture  and  color  resembling  the  apple 
tree,  although  far  superior.  It  takes  a  beautiful  polish. 
Dr.  Veitch  also  found  specimens  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
Idria. 

25.  J,  taxifolia,  Hooker. — Is  but  newly  introduced  in- 
to England  from  Japan,  where  it  nourishes  on  the  moun- 
tains with  great  luxuriance.  •  It  is  a  spreading  shrub  with 
drooping  branchlets,  and  rich  dark  green  foliage.     Gordon 
suggests  that  it  is  but  a  variety  of  J.  rigida,  of  Siebold. 
It  may  possibly  succeed  here. 

26.  J,  Bermudiana,  Linnaeus. — Syn.   J.   Barbadensis, 
L.  ;  J.  oppositifolia,  Mcench.     This  is  the  celebrated  Pen- 
cil Cedar  of  Bermuda,  and  although  very  beautiful  and 
desirable,  it  is  entirely  too  tender  for  the  climate  of  the 
Middle  States.     We  have  grown  it  in  pots  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  by  plunging  it  in  the  open  ground  during 
summer,  a  fine  efiect  is  produced.     It  is  dkecious,  and  the 
sexes  produce  their  leaves  in  a  different  manner,  although 
resembling  each  other  in  growth  and  color.     It  is  conical 
in  form,  compact  in  growth,  and  of  a  peculiar  yellowish- 
green  color.     It  grows  to  the  height  of  50  feet  in  its  na- 
tive locality,  where  it  is  celebrated  and  valuable  as  furnish- 
ing the  great  pencil-wood  of  trade. 

27.  J.  flaccida,  SMecht. — Syn.  J.  gracilis,  Endliclier. 
— A  Mexican  species  growing  at  very  high  elevations  on 
the  mountains  of  Real  del  Monte,  etc.     It  is  a  small  sized 
tree,  but   remarkably   symmetrical   and   graceful.      The 
branches  are  slender  and  drooping,  with  small,  lanceolate, 
bright  green  leaves.     We  especially  recommend  this  plant 
for   pot-culture,  having   found   it   particularly  charming 
when  thus  grown. 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  305 

28.  J.  Japonic*!,  Carriere. — Syn.  J.  procumbens,  Sie- 
bold. — Is  a  Japanese  species  of  small  size,  found  on  the 
mountains,  where  it  is  quite  plentiful,  and  very  attractive 
on  account  of  its  numerous,  twisted  branches  that  are 
clothed  densely  with  small,  ovate,  rigid,  glaucous-green 
leaves.     It  is  very  dwarf,  scarcely  reaching  to  the  height 
of  2  feet,  and  often  trailing  along  the  ground.     Endlicher 
considers  it  a  variety  of  *T.  Chinensis,  and  describes  it  un- 
der the  name  of  J.  Chinensis  procumbens.     In  England 
it  is  entirely  hardy,  and  we  trust  it  may  prove  so  here. 

29,  J,  Mcxicana,  Schlecht. — This  we  also  consider  one 
of  our  finest  pot-plants.     We  have  grown  specimens  to  the 
height  of  5  or  6  feet,  with  a  perfect  conical  shape,  and 
clothed  densely  with  its  peculiar  leaves,  thus  forming  a 
desirable  and  attractive  object  on  a  lawn.     It  is  a  native 
of  the  mountains  of  Mexico,  at  elevations  varying  from 
8,000  to  10,000  feet,  and  forming  compact,  conical  shrubs, 
10  or  15  feet  in  height.     This  Juniper  is  entirely  hardy  in 
England,  but  will  not  succeed  with  us. 

30.  J.   procera,  Hochst. — ABYSSINIAN   JTJNIPEK. — Is 
found  in  Abyssinia,  where  it  forms  a  very  large  tree ;  but 
according  to  Gordon,  resembling  the  J.  excelsa  in  other 
respects,  and  probably  either  synonymous  with  it,  or  a  va- 
riety of  larger  size. 

31,  J.  gigantea9  Rcezl. — Is  a  new  species  lately  intro- 
duced from  Mexico.     We  are  afraid  it  will  not  prove 
hardy  here,  although  it  was  found  at  elevations  of  7,000 
and  8,000  feet.     In  the  discoverer's  description  he  states 
that  plants  of  this  species  were  seen  that  had  attained  the 
height  of  from  80  to  100  feet. 

There  are  a  number  of  other  plants,  or  rather  names  of 
plants,  found  in  nurserymen's  catalogues,  that  can  in  al- 
most every  instance  be  traced  to  some  of  those  heretofore 


306  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

described.  Among  the  few  kinds  of  which  we  have  no 
information  is  the  J.  tripartite^,  a  low  bush  with  numerous 
ascending  and  spreading  branches,  covered  with  dense 
glaucous-green  leaves.  It  has  proven  entirely  hardy  and 
very  beautiful. 

Among  the  uncertain  species  of  which  little  is  known  at 
present,  Gordon  mentions  the  following :  J.  Oliverif,  Car- 
riere,  from  Asia  Minor,  growing  on  the  Caramanian 
Mountains,  which  resembles  Jl  excelsa,  and  probably  is  not 
specifically  distinct.  Wildenow's  new  species,  J.  glauca, 
is  probably  the  same  as  Cupressus  glauca  /  and  J.  race- 
mosa,  of  Risso,  is  perhaps  nothing  more  than  an  old  vari- 
ety or  species.  This  latter  is  from  the  south  of  Europe. 
Every  year  tends  to  clear  up  the  mystery  surrounding 
such  kinds  as  the  above,  so  that  in  a  future  edition  of  this 
work  we  may  be  able  to  throw  more  light  on  many  un- 
certain and  unknown  plants  mentioned  herein. 


13.— WIDDRIACTTONIA,  EndlicJier. 

Small,  Cypress-like  plants  from  Africa.  Flowers,  dioe- 
cious ;  cones,  globular,  consisting  of  four  oval,  mucronate 
scales,  and  containing  from  5  to  10  ovules,  adherent  to  the 
base  of  each  scale.  The  genus  was  named  in  compliment 
to  Captain  Widdrington.  The  species,  so  far  as  known, 
is  tender,  even  in  England. 

li  W,  Commersonii,  Endlicher. — Is  a  new  and  unintro- 
duced  species  from  Madagascar  but  of  which  the  charac- 
ter is  little  known. 

2.  W.  CUprcSSOldcSj  Endlicher. — Has  several  synonyms 
given  it  by  different  authors.  It  is  a  tender  little  plant 
from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  where  it  forms  an  erect, 
conical  shrub. 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  307 

3.  W.  junipcroidcs,  EndlicJier. — A  medium-sized  spe- 
cies from  the  Cape  of  Good  Horn,  growing  on  the  moun- 
tains. 

4.  W.  Natalensis,  Endlicher. — Is  a  new  species  (?)  of 
which  little  is  known  ;    but  as  it  comes  from  the  southern 
portion  of  Africa,  it  is  undoubtedly  tender. 

5.  W.  Wallichiana9  Endlicher. — Another  species  from 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  where  it  was  first  seen  by  Dr. 
Wallich,  forming  a  medium-sized  tree. 


14.— CAULITRIS,   Ventenat. 

Flowers  monoecious,  terminal ;  cones,  roundish,  consist- 
ing of  four  truncated  scales,  and  with  one  or  two  ovules 
at\he  base  of  each.  The  name  is  derived  from  the  pretty 
appearance  of  the  jointed  shoots. 

C.  quadrivalvis,  Ventenat. — Is  either  a  large  tree  or 
shrub,  owing  to  the  situation,  and  comes  from  the  north 
of  Africa.  Gordon  states  it  is  hardy  in  the  milder  parts 
of  England,  and  in  our  southern  climate  it  may  also  prove 
satisfactory.  We  imported  it  under  the  name  of  Thuja 
articulata,  of  Wahlenberg,  and  have  grown  it  as  a  pot- 
plant  for  several  years,  to  our  great  pleasure.  It  is  the 
only  species. 


15.-UH50CEDRUS,  Endlicher. 

Flowers,  monoecious  and  terminal ;  male  aments  rather 
oblong,  inclining  to  spherical ;  female  aments  spherical  and 
solitary.  Cones  rather  small,  ovate,  with  from  4  to  6 


308  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

woody,  coriaceous,  concave  scales,  terminating  in  a  small, 
incurved  spine.  Seeds  mostly  2  under  each  scale,  winged. 
Cotyledons,  2.  Leaves  imbricated  in  four  rows,  appress- 
ed  and  scale-formed. 

A  genus  composed  of  large-sized  trees,  found  in  South 
America  and  the  islands  bordering  on  the  coast,  as  well 
as  on  our  Pacific  coast. 

Gordon  says  the  name  is  "  derived  from  Libanos,  in- 
cense ;  and  Cedrus,  the  Cedar." 

1.  L,  Chilensis,  JEndlicher. — CHILIAN  ARBOR  VIT^E. — 
Syn.  Thuja  Chilensis,  Lambert  &  Don. — Leaves  ovate- 
oblong,  obtuse,  somewhat  trigonous,  adpressed,  and  beau- 
tiful glaucous  green  in  color.  Branches  numerous,  pen- 
dulous, with  light  gray  bark,  and  jointed,  compressed, 
spreading  branchlets.  Cones,  small,  oblong,  terminal,  4- 
valved,  drooping,  and  compressed ;  scales  elliptic,  obtuse. 
Seeds,  winged  at  the  apex,  decurrent  at  the  base. 

A  handsome  tree  from  the  Andes  of  Chili,  where  it 
grows  to  the  height  of  from  60  to  80  feet.  Nee  and  Pavon 
first  discovered  it  growing  in  the  colder  situations  among 
the  mountains,  where  it  was  afterwards  observed  by 
Pseppeg. 

Having  tested  this  species  in  several  favorable  situa- 
tions, we  unhesitatingly  pronounce  it  of  no  value  to  north- 
ern planters,  and  this  is  the  experience  of  others  in  differ- 
ent localities  in  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States.  It  not 
unfrequently  survives  two  or  three  winters,  but  in  an  un- 
satisfactory manner,  merely  lingering  along  until  a  sudden 
cold  spell  of  weather  abruptly  finishes  it.  In  the  more 
Southern  States  it  proves  very  reliable,  and  is  unquestion- 
ably of  great  value  for  ornamental  purposes. 

It  forms  a  beautiful  spreading  tree,  with  numerous 
drooping  branches,  covered  with  a  gray  bark,  and  clothed 
with  charming,  glaucous  green  foliage,  thus  contrasting  in 
a  pleasing  manner  with  the  surrounding  vegetation. 

Gordon  mentions  a  variety  with  bright  green  leaves, 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  809 

entirely  destitute  of  the  peculiar  glaucous  appearance 
which  is  the  most  attractive  feature  of  the  species. 

2.  L.  decurrens,  Torrey. — Syn.  Thuja  Craigiana,  Jef- 
frey ;  T.  gigantea,  Gordon  ;  T.  Lobbii,  Hort. — Leaves 
very  small,  adpressed,  awl-shaped  or  scale-formed,  sharply 
acute,  decurrent,  not  acerose,  bright  glossy-green  color. 
Branches,  spreading,  incurved  at  the  extremities,  with  nu- 
merous, compressed  branchlets.  Cones,  ovate-oblong, 
pendulous  (Bigelow) ;  scales  enlarged  below  the  apex, 
with  recurved,  tubercle-like  spines,  the  upper  ones  much 
the  largest.  Seeds,  two-winged,  unequal  in  size. 

This  is  not  a  synonym 
of  Thuja  gigantea,  as 
Gordon  and  other  Euro- 
pean authors  claim ;  but 
a  very  distinct  tree  be- 
longing to  a  separate 
genus.  Douglas  was 
greatly  in  error  when  he 
made  the  assertion  that 
it  was  found  near  Nootka 
Sound.  Seeds  of  Thuja 
Craigiana,  collected  by 
Jeffrey,  and  grown  near 
Philadelphia,  have  pro- 
duced young  plants  iden- 
tical with  the  L.  decur- 
rens.  Dr.  Torrey,  in  the 
Smithsonian  Contribu- 
tionsf  states  that  it  in- 
habits the  upper  waters 
of  the  Sacramento,  par- 

1  Fig.  40.— LIBOCEDRUS  DECURRENS. 

ticularly  from   lat.    38 

40',  to  about  41°  N.  lat.,  where  it  was  also  found 
(without  fruit)  by  the  botanists  of  the  U.  S.  Exploring 
Expedition,  and  by  Dr.  G.  H.  Hulse.  A  noble  tree,  some- 


310  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

times  attaining  a  height  of  120  or  even  140  feet ;  and  a 
trunk  of  7  feet  in  diameter  is  not  uncommon.  It  rises 
from  80  to  100  feet  without  a  limb.  "This  tree  much 
resembles  Cattitris  qiiadrivoilms  in  its  foliage.  It  has 
probably  been  confounded  with  Thuja  gigantea,  of 
Nuttall,  from  which,  however,  it  can  be  distinguished  by 
the  foliage  alone;  the  long,  decurrent  bases  of  the  leaves 
being  characteristics  of  the  Libocedrus."  Dr.  Bigelow 
says :  "  This  tree  is  only  to  be  found  at  an  elevation  of 
some  four  or  five  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea, 
in  the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains  of  California." 

Although  very  beautiful  in  appearance,  we  are  afraid  to 
recommend  it  for  general  cultivation,  notwithstanding  it 
does  well  on  our  grounds  in  a  suitable  border.  The  leader, 
and  occasionally  the  side  shoots,  are  injured  during  the 
winter  on  account  of  the  late  succulent  growths  which 
this  species  is  liable  to  make,  and  which  is  the  bane  of 
these  rapid-growing,  half-hardy  Conifers.  To  cultivate  it 
successfully,  a  slow  growth  should  be  encouraged,  and  the 
soil  must  always  be  well  drained.  Our  own  specimen 
fruited  freely  the  past  season,  and  we  were  thereby  enabled 
to  prove  its  distinct  character. 

3.  L.  Poiliana,  Endlicher.  —  Syn.  Thuja  Doniana, 
Hooker.  —  Leaves  small,  adpressed,  imbricated  in  four 
rows,  acute,  light  glaucous  or  pale  green  color.  Branches 
ascending  and  incurved,  with  numerous,  compressed 
branchlets.  Cones  small,  obovate  or  ovate,  terminal,  and 
solitary;  with  4  ligneous  scales  in  opposite  pairs,  each 
producing  a  solitary,  winged  seed. 

From  the  northern  portion  of  New  Zealand,  where  it 
attains  a  medium  height,  and  occasionally  forms  a  large- 
sized  tree.  This  rather  new  species  greatly  resembles  our 
Arbor  Vitoes ;  but,  being  of  recent  introduction,  we  cannot 
speak  of  its  hardiness  in  this  country,  especially  in  the 
Northern  States.  At  the  South,  we  judge  it  could  be  ac- 
climated, but  with  us  its  hardiness  is  questionable.  In 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  311 

England  it  is  reported  as  being  only  "  tolerably  hardy  " 
in  favorable  situations,  which  is  equivalent  to  being  ten- 
der with  us.  The  timber  is  of  a  bright  red  color,  resinous, 
and  hard. 

4,  L,  tetragona,  JSndlicher. — Syn.  Thuja  tetragona, 
IfooJcer. — Leaves  very  small  and  numerous,  ovate,  obtuse, 
adpressed,  imbricated  in  4  rows,  and  of  a  pale  green 
color.  Branches  and  branchlets,  spreading,  somewhat 
drooping,  and  the  latter  quite  tetragonal.  Cones  small, 
ovate,  terminal;  with  coriaceous  scales  placed  in  three 
pairs,  each  terminating  in  an  incurved  spine. 

Another  new  species,  just  introduced  and  as  yet  untest- 
ed. It  comes  from  the  colder  regions  of  the  Andes,  in 
Chili  and  Patagonia,  where  it  inhabits  the  damp  soils  just 
below  the  snow-line.  Lobb  found  whole  forests  of  this 
tree  close  to  the  snow-line  on  the  Cordillera.  It  varies  in 
height  from  a  low,  straggling  bush,  to  an  immense  tree 
100  feet  high,  according  to  the  situation  where  it  is  found. 

The  timber  furnished  by  this  species  is  said  to  be  of  ex- 
cellent quality.  Although  unacquainted  with  its  hardi- 
ness, we  take  pleasure  in  bringing  it  to  the  notice  of  our 
planters  for  trial,  as  the  localities  where  it  is  found  are  in 
many  instances  very  cold  and  unpropitious  for  the  growth 
of  tender  plants,  and  it  may  prove  successful  with  us. 

The  Gardener's  Chronicle  says :  "  This  beautiful  tree 
reaches  120,  and  often  more,  feet  in  height ;  is  very  luxu- 
riant in  its  foliage,  with  thicjt  branches,  open  and  ascend- 
ant ;  is  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  provinces  of  the 
South,  on  the  hills  verging  from  Valdiva  to  Chiloe ;  grows 
very  straight,  of  great  height,  and  of  such  circumference 
that  5,  6,  or  even  7  men  are  required  to  measure  round  it.  It 
is  of  the  most  durable  quality,  having  been  worked  for  ages, 
and  stands  the  greatest  test  of  the  atmosphere ;  trunks  of 
this  tree  having  been  met  with  buried  since  the  year  of 
the  great  rising  of  the  Indians  in  1599,  and  these  trunks 


312  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

have  been  worked  up  as  easily  as  newly  cut  timber,  only 
being  much  heavier." 

*  *  "  It  proves  to  be  a  most  useful  ornamental  plant  in 
consequence  of  its  perfectly  erect,  close-growing  habit, 
the  young  plants  being  quite  pyramidal ;  and  it  must  cer- 
tainly supplant  in  time  such  '  fastigiate '  monsters  as  Irish 
Yews  and  Swedish  Junipers,  to  say  nothing  of  the  singu- 
larly beautiful  green  of  its  foliage." 


16,— ACTI1VOSTROBUS,  Miguel. 

A  small  and  tender  genus,  composed  of  a  solitary  spe- 
cies. Flowers,  monoecious,  terminal,  and  globular ;  cones 
nearly  globular,  and  consisting  of  six  convex  scales,  with 
two  ovules  under  each.  Name  derived  from  the  radiated 
scales. 

A.  pyramidaliS;  Miguel. — SWAN  RIVER  CYPRESS. — Is 
a  small,  conical  bush  from  New  Holland,  with  minute, 
scale-formed,  deep  green  leaves. 


IT.— FRENELA,  Mirbel. 

Flowers,  monoecious.  Cones,  globular.  Leaves,  small 
and  scale-formed.  This  genus  of  New  Holland  plants  was 
named  in  honor  of  M.  Frenel,  a  French  botanist.  There 
are  19  species  recognized  at  present,  all  exceedingly  tender. 

It  F.  arenosa,  Endlicher. — A  small  bush. 

2.  F.  australiS,  Mirbel.— Is  60  or  70  feet  in  height. 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  313 

3*  F.  calcarata,  Cunningham. — A  tree  but  little  known. 

4.  F.  ericoides,  Endlicher.—A  small  shrub. 

5.  F,  Fothergilli,  Endlicher.—Yorma  a  small  tree. 

6.  F,  fruticosa,  Endlicher. — A  small  tree. 

7.  F.  glauca,  Mirbel. — A  small  bush. 

8.  F,  Gimij,  Endlicher. — A  large  tree. 

9.  F,  Hugelii,  Carriere. — A  large,  conical  tree,  with  as- 
cending branches. 

10.  F.   macrostachya,  Knight— A.  small,  straggling 
bush,  more  hardy  than  the  other  species. 

11.  F,  propinqua,  Cunningham. — A  conical  bush,  of 
which  but  little  is  known. 

12.  F,  pyramidalis,  Carriere. — Is  a  large  bush  or  rather 
small  tree. 

13.  F,  rhomboidca,  Endlicher. — A  large,  Cypress-like 
bush. 

14.  F,  rigida,  Endlicher. — A  small  bush,  of  which  lit- 
tle is  known. 

15.  F.  robusta5  Cunningham. — A  large,  conical  tree. 

16.  F.  Roei,  Endlicher.— A  shrub. 

17.  F.  triquetra9  Spach. — A  large  shrub  or  small  tree, 
with  many  synonyms. 

18.  F.  tuberculata,  Mirlel—h.  bush  of  which  but  lit- 
tle is  known. 

14 


314  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

19t  F.  verrucosaj  Cunningham. — Is  a  compact,  coni- 
cal-shaped tree. 

Lttckhanltia,  Archer  (?}. — Has  been  very  recently 
formed  by  separating  the  plant  formerly  known  as  Frenela 
variabilis,  Carriere,  from  the  latter  genus,  from  which 
it  is  distinct  on  account  of  its  cones  being  composed  of 
eight  valvate  scales  in  the  place  of  six,  as  is  found  in  the 
Frenelas.  The  only  species  known,  is 

L,  Macleayana,  Archer  (?),  which  forms  a  large  tree, 
60  or  70  feet  in  height,  and  is  from  New  South  Wales. 


18.— FITZROYA,  Hooker. 

Flowers  supposed  to  be  monoecious ;  cones,  small,  ter- 
minal, and  solitary ;  with  nine  recurved  scales,  arranged  in 
whorls  of  3 ;  leaves,  flat,  sessile,  whorled  and  mostly  ob- 
tuse ;  seeds,  surrounded  by  a  broad  wing,  generally  in 
threes,  under  each  scale. 

A  new  and  rare  genus  of  recent  introduction,  which 
was  discovered  by  Captain  Fitz  Roy  on  the  mountains  of 
Patagonia  and  named  in  his  honor  by  Dr.  Hooker. 

F.  PatagORica,  Hooker. — This  beautiful  Conifer  will  no 
doubt  prove  hardy  in  our  Southern  States.  It  forms  a 
large-sized  tree,  varying  in  height  with  the  elevation  at 
which  it  is  found.  Near  the  cold  summits  of  the  Patago- 
nian  Mountains,  it  is  nothing  but  a  mere  stunted  shrub ; 
but  as  it  approaches  the  base,  it  increases  in  size  until  it 
forms  a  tree  of  100  feet  in  height.  Gordon  states  it  is  un- 
satisfactory in  England,  although  standing  ordinary  win- 
ters in  favorable  situations.  It  is,  however,  found  "on  the 
borders  of  perpetual  congelation." 


THE    CYPEESS   SUB-FAMILY.  315 

19.— THUJA,     Tournefort.— WESTERN,    OR    AMERICAN 
ARBOR    VITJ3. 

Flowers  monoecious  and  terminal,  on  different  branches ; 
sterile  aments,  elliptical  or  ovoid ;  fertile  aments,  ovoid 
and  solitary.  Cones  small,  ovoid,  with  from  4  to  6  coria- 
ceous scales,  the  latter  spreading,  adherent  at  the  base, 
and  covering  2  seeds,  winged  all  round  the  margins.  Co- 
tyledons, 2.  Leaves  small,  scale-like,  or  awl-shaped,  oppo- 
site/  appressed,  and  imbricated  in  4  rows  on  the  flat 
branchlets. 

The  American  Arbor  Yitses  in  ornamental  plantations 
bear  a  conspicuous  part ;  for  not  only  do  they  form  desira- 
ble specimen  trees,  but  are  useful  in  forming  screens  and 
hedges.  They  bear  the  knife  or  shears  with  perfect  impu- 
nity, the  plants  thickening  up  to  a  degree  of  density  rare- 
ly surpassed  by  any  other  evergreen.  And  then  again, 
the  comparative  cheapness  of  the  type  of  the  genus  and 
the  readiness  with  which  it  will  grow  and  flourish  in  al- 
most any  soil  are  additional  incentives  to  its  increased 
cultivation. 

The  timber  is  reputed  to  be  very  durable.  Name  prob- 
ably derived  from  thy  on,  "  sacrifice ; "  or  from  the  ancient 
Greek  name  of  some  resin-bearing  tree.  The  origin  of  the 
common  name  Arbor  Yita3  is  involved  in  obscurity ;  some 
writers  say  it  was  introduced  into  England  under  that 
title,  but  the  reason  for  it  is  unknown. 

1,  T.  gigantca,  Nuttall. — GIGANTIC  AEBOR  YITJE. — 
Leaves  acute,  incurved,  ovate,  quadrately  and  closely  im- 
bricated, entirely  destitute  of  the  glandular  tubercle,  bright 
green  or  occasionally  glaucous-green  in  color,  and  exceed- 
ingly beautiful,  resembling  the  fronds  of  a  fern.  Branches 
and  branchlets,  erect,  somewhat  flattened,  regular  in  ar- 
rangement, long,  and  slender.  Cones  abruptly  recurved, 
more  clustered  and  drooping  than  in  T.  occidentalis^  oth- 
erwise very  similar.  Seeds  elliptic  and  furnished  with  a 
wide  winged  margin. 


316  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

Nuttall  says  of  this  species :  "  This  is  one  of  the  most 
majestic  trees  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  attaining 
the  height  of  60  to  170  feet,  or  even  200  feet,  and  being  20 
to  40  feet  in  the  circumference  of  the  trunk.  On  the 
shores  of  the  Pacific,  where  this  species  is  frequent,  it  no- 
where attains  the  enormous  dimensions  attributed  to  it  in 
the  fertile  valleys  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  towards  the 
sources  of  the  Oregon.  We  seldom  saw  it  along  the  coast 
more  than  70  to  100  feet  in  height,  still,  however,  much 
larger  than  the  common  species  (T.  occidentals. )" 

The  true  species  is  rare  in  cultivation,  owing  to  the  care- 
lessness of  some  collectors,  who  have  substituted  the  Libo- 
cedrus  decurrens  for  it,  and  whose  blunders  have  been  ac- 
quiesced in  by  writers  who  have  not  made  themselves 
properly  acquainted  with  the  characteristics  of  the  two 
species.  Gordon  in  his  "  Pinetum,"  and  Carriere  in  his 
"Traite  General  des  Coniferes,"  prove  conclusively  by 
their  descriptions  that  they  are  totally  unacquainted  with 
the  true  species. 

One  of  the  most  reliable  characters  to  be  governed  by 
in  distinguishing  the  Thuja  gigantea  from  the  Libocedrus 
decurrens,  is  the  absence  of  glands  on  the  foliage  of  the 
former,  whilst  that  of  the  latter  is  plainly  dotted  over 
with  small,  silvery  specks.  Then  again,  the  leaves  of  the 
Libocedrus  decurrens  are  generally  long,  awl-shaped,  very 
acute,  resembling  a  sharp  prickle,  with  quite  long  inter- 
nodes  on  the  branchlets.  The  leaves  of  the  T.  gigantea 
are  short,  very  closely  imbricated  and  adpressed,  scale- 
like,  with  short  internodes.  The  seed  is  perhaps  the  best 
distinguishing  feature  between  them,  and  is  in  the  Liboce- 
drus, 2-winged,  largest  at  the  apex,  and  slightly  decurrent 
at  the  base;  whilst  that  of  the  Thuja  is  winged  all  around 
the  margin,  as  in  our  common  T.  occidentals. 

Young  plants  of  this  species  appear  to  stand  our  winters 
with  variable  success,  and  we  are  afraid  it  will  not  prove 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY. 


317 


to  be  a  valuable  acquisition  to  planters  in  the  Middle 
States  at  least,  if  not  still  further  north. 

2.  T.  occidental!*,  Linnceus. — AMERICAN  ARBOR  VITJE. 
(White  Cedar,  incorrectly  of  some.) — Leaves  quite  small, 
closely  appressed,  rhombic-ovate,  imbricated  in  four  rows. 


Fig.  41.— THUJA  OCCIDENTALIS. 

Branches  very  numerous,  ramulose,  and  assurgent,  or  re- 
curved. Cones  small,  oblong-ovoid,  with  dry,  spreading, 
pointless  scales.  Seeds  with  a  broad  wing  all  round  the 
margin. 

This  well-known  tree  is  a  native  of  the  northern  portion 
of  our  continent,  inhabiting  low,  moist  situations,  princi- 


S18 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS, 


42.— SIBERIAN  ARBOR  VIT^E— THUJA  OCCIDENTALS    SIBIRICA. 
FROM  A  PHOTOGRAPH  OF  A  SPECIMEN,  14  FEET  HIGH,  IN  THE 
AUTHOR'S  COLLECTION. 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  319 

pally  among  the  mountains.  It  is  rarely  found  further 
south  than  Central  New  York  and  Pennsylvania.  In  Can- 
ada and  along  the  lakes  it  is  known  as  the  White  Cedar, 
thus  confounding  this  species  with  the  well-known  tree  of 
that  name,  so  common  in  New  Jersey  and  elsewhere — 
Cupressus  thyoides. 

The  American  Arbor  Vitee  generally  grows  to  the  height 
of  from  25  to  50  feet,  and  forms  a  handsome,  conical  tree, 
with  the  lower  branches  resting  on  the  ground.  This 
peculiar  and  uniform  appearance  in  its  outline  renders  it 
very  conspicuous  in  a  collection,  although  Downing  con- 
sidered it  too  formal  for  extensive  use  in  ornamental  land- 
scapes. It  is,  however,  one  of  the  most  hardy  and  desir- 
able species  for  small  places,  owing  to  the  ease  with  which 
it  is  cultivated,  and  to  its  exceedingly  rapid  growth. 

An  objectionable  feature  is  its  proneness  to  form  several 
leaders,  which,  during  heavy  storms  of  wind  or  snow,  are 
pressed  outward,  and  thereby  the  symmetry  of  the  tree  is 
often  destroyed.  To  obviate  this  difficulty,  many  culti- 
vators trim  in  all  the  side  branches,  thus  allowing  the  main 
or  true  leader  to  become  strengthened,  and  to  induce  also 
the  branchlets  to  become  more  numerous.  This  treatment 
is  likewise  very  judicious  with  the  Junipers,  especially 
with  the  ascending  kinds,  such  as  J.  communis  and  its 
varieties,  u  The  only  fault  of  this  tree  as  an  evergreen," 
says  Downing,  "  is  the  comparatively  dingy  green  hue  of 
its  foliage  in  winter.  But  to  compensate  for  this,  it  is  re- 
markably fresh  looking  in  its  spring,  summer,  and  autumn 
tints,  comparing  well  at  those  seasons  even  with  the  bright 
verdure  of  deciduous  trees."  This  fault  is  also  a  prominent, 
and  to  many  a  disagreeable  feature  in  the  whole  genus, 
and  is  not  confined  alone  to  our  native  species,  but 
is  noticeable  even  more  plainly  in  the  Eastern  Arbor  Vitse. 
Upon  the  approach  of  spring,  however,  a  few  warm  days 
change  this  "  dingy  hue "  into  a  charming,  fresh,  green 
color. 


320  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

The  timber  of  this  species  is  light,  quite  soil,  but  du- 
rable, and  notwithstanding  boards  and  planks  of  large  size 
cannot  be  obtained  from  it,  it  is  in  considerable  demand 
for  building  purposes.  For  fencing  material  it  is  exceed- 
ingly valuable,  and  is  used  extensively  for  that  purpose, 
Michaux  asserting  that  posts  made  from  it  will  last  from 
35  to  40  years,  or  three  or  four  times  as  long  as  any  other 
species.  It  yields  a  pungent,  aromatic  oil,  and  the  whole 
plant,  when  bruised  or  even  slightly  disturbed,  emits  a 
peculiar,  and  to  some  pleasant,  spicy,  fragrance. 

Its  adaptability  as  a  hedge  plant  is  now  fully  apprecia- 
ted, both  in  Europe  and  in  this  country.  To  form  a  per- 
fect and  impervious  screen  in  a  short  time,  we  recommend 
that  the  young  plants  should  be  set  about  12  or  15  inches 
apart  in  single  rows.  The  ground  should  previously  to 
planting  be  dug  deep  and  mellow,  and  the  surface  after- 
wards kept  clean  from  weeds.  As  this  species  is  so  pa- 
tient under  the  knife,  it  should  be  frequently  well  trimmed 
to  produce  the  proper  shape,  which  may  be  at  the  option 
of  the  owner,  always,  however,  bearing  in  mind  to  shape 
the  top  to  an  acute  point,  and  thus  prevent  the  injurious 
effects  of  large  bodies  of  snow.  The  late  Wm.  Reid,  of 
Elizabethtown,  N".  J.,  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  success- 
ful cultivators  of  evergreen  hedges  in  this  country,  gave 
this  Arbor  Vitse  his  decided  preference  over  all  other  orna- 
mental plants,  for  a  quick,  cheap,  and  handsome  screen. 

Of  later  years,  numerous  marked  varieties  of  this  species 
have  claimed  the  attention  of  cultivators,  its  proneness  to 
sport  causing  quite  an  addition  to  our  names  at"  least.  The 
most  conspicuous  and  useful  of  these  varieties  is  the 

Var.  SiMrica,  Sort. — SIBERIAN  ARBOR- YITJE.  —  The 
origin  of  this  valuable  variety  is  involved  in  mystery,  and 
the  confusion  consequent  thereon  is  perpetuated  by  culti- 
vators, both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  The  few 
authors  that  have  noticed  it,  appear  to  be  perplexed  about 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  821 

it.  We  have  placed  it  as  a  variety  of  Thuja  occidentalis, 
in  the  firm  belief  that  it  is  nothing  more  than  an  accidental 
variation  from  the  type  of  the  species.  This  variety  has, 
however,  proven  to  be  of  great  importance  to  our  collec- 
tions, combining,  as  it  does,  excessive  hardiness,  regular 
conical  form,  and  a  peculiar  dark-green  and  remarkably 
dense  foliage.  The  demand  for  the  Siberian  Arbor  Vitae 
is  anmially  increasing,  and  where  one  or  two  plants  were 
disposed  of  a  few  years  ago,  hundreds  are  now  sold. 
Hedges  formed  of  it  are  really  splendid,  and  surpass  in 
beauty  those  made  from  the  species. 

In  the  recent  supplement  to  Gordon's  Pinetum,  the 
author  says :  "  This  kind  was  originally  raised,  many 
years  ago,  by  Mr.  Weire,  a  nurseryman  at  Coventry ;" 
and  then,  after  classing  it  as  a  species,  under  the  heading 
of  2.  Tartarica,  Loddiges,  and  enumerating  some  fourteen 
synonyms,  says,  the  "  cones  are  identical  with  those  of  the 
common  American  Arbor  Vitse."  Taking  into  considera- 
tion this  acknowledgment,  and  finding  his  descriptions  of 
both  kinds  almost  exactly  similar  in  other  respects,  we  are 
curious  to  know  what  are  the  distinguishing  characteristics 
that  form  the  species  in  the  present  case ;  and  we  may  add 
that  plants  closely  resembling  this  kind  have  been  grown 
from  the  seed  of  our  native  species  in  this  country. 

Var.  plicata,  London. — PLICATE,  OR  NEE'S  ARBOR 
YITJE. — Syn.  T.  plicata,  Don. — This  variety  is  a  native 
of  our  Pacific  Coast,  from  the  North-western  Territories  to 
Mexico,  and  was  discovered  by  Menzies  in  the  former, 
and  Nee  in  the  latter  place.  It  generally  attains  the  height 
of  from  30  to  50  feet,  and  is  clothed  with  foliage  to  the 
ground.  Although  we  think  with  Loudon  it  is  only  a 
marked  variety  of  T.  occidentalis,  it  is  nevertheless  very 
distinct  and  handsome.  The  branches  are  loose,  and  pre- 
sent a  curiously  twisted  or  plaited  appearance.  Its  hardi- 
ness is  unquestioned,  and  we  consider  it  a  very  valuable 
Conifer  for  ornamental  planting. 


322  THE    BOOK    OF   EVEIIGREENS. 

Var.  plicata  Yariegata,  Carriere.  —  This  new  plant  is 
said  to  be  quite  prettily  spotted  with  pale  yellow,  and  is 
of  rather  weaker  growth  than  the  species.  It  originated 
in  France. 


;  and  var,  argentea,  Carriere 
the  former  having  the  foliage  spotted  with  yellow,  and  the 
latter  with  white,  are  not  very  valuable  or  showy,  even  to 
the  lovers  of  this  class  of  plants. 

Var,  Hoveyi,  Hort.  —  We  are  very  much  pleased  with 
this  comparatively  new  plant,  and  predict  it  will  prove  to 
be  popular  when  better  tested.  The  foliage  is  of  a  bright 
yellowish  green,  and  the  plant  compact  and  globular  in 
form.  It  reminds  one  of  a  fine  Golden  Arbor  Yitse,  and  is 
perfectly  hardy. 

Var.  pumila,  Booth.  —  A  dwarf,  neat  bush,  very  dense, 
and  perfect  in  form,  having  innumerable  small  branchlets, 
closely  packed  together.  The  outline  is  regularly  rounded, 
and  the  color  is  of  a  charming  shade  of  green. 

Var,  liana,  Hoopes.  —  This  is  an  accidental  seedling  that 
originated  in  our  own  grounds  a  few  years  since.  It  is 
dwarf  in  growth,  and  very  dissimilar  to  the  above  in  its 
habit.  We  have  grown  it  for  several  years,  and  are  quite 
pleased  with  its  appearance  in  a  collection. 

Var.  globosa,  Hort.  —  This  very  pretty  kind  is  grown 
extensively  around  Philadelphia,  but  appears  to  be  un- 
known elsewhere.  It  is  remarkably  globular  in  shape,  and 
very  dense  and  dwarf  in  growth.  It  is  exceedingly  pop- 
ular wherever  known. 

Var.  pendula,  G-ordon.  —  Syn.  var.  asplenifolia,  Hort.  — 
A  handsome,  rapid-growing  variety,  with  the  branchlets 
and  foliage  in  tufts  at  the  extremities  of  the  drooping 
branches.  It  originated  in  Standish's  Nursery,  Bagshot, 
England.  Our  experience  with  it  for  several  years  has 
been  yery  satisfactory,  amd  we  can  recommend  it. 
14* 


THE    CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  323 

Far,  cristata,  Buist. — Somewhat  resembles  the  above 
in  growth,  but  is  more  compact  in  habit,  and  we  think 
handsomer.  It  is  certainly  very  attractive  in  a  group. 

Var,  densa,  Gordon. — Syn.  T.  Caucasica,  Leroy ;  T, 
compacta,  Standish,  <fcc. — A  very  handsome  variety  that 
we  imported  some  few  years  since  from  France,  and  one 
that  lias  very  small  claims  for  distinction,  owing  to  its  sim- 
ilarity to  the  Siberian  Arbor  Vita?.  Gordon  says  of  it : 
"  This  kind  forms  a  large,  compact,  pyramidal  bush,  grow- 
ing from  20  to  30  feet  high,  and  nearly  as  dense  as  the 
Chinese  Arbor  Vita3.  It  somewhat  resembles  the  Thuja 
plicata,  but  is  of  a  much  brighter  green,  and  less  coarse  in 
its  branchlets." 

Var.  Vcrvacncana,  JIbrt. — A  recently  introduced  varie- 
gated plant  from  France,  with  much  more  distinct  markings 
than  the  older  kinds.  We  are  much  pleased  With  its 
appearance,  and  as  it  is  entirely  hardy,  judge  it  will  prove 
popular  among  the  lovers  of  variegated-leaved  plants. 

Var,  compacta,  Parsons. — From  Flushing,  L.  I.,  and 
quite  dwarf  and  compact  in  habit.  In  general  appearance 
it  differs  somewhat  from,  the  other  varieties,  and  we  think 
it  worthy  of  perpetuation  for  the  evergreen  shrubbery. 

Var,  ericoides,  Booth. — Was  first  sent  to  this  country 
a  few  years  since  from  Hamburg,  and  is  an  upright,  conical 
shrub,  stiff  in  habit.  The  heath-like  leaves  show  very  lit- 
tle inclination,  if  any,  to  assume  the  usual  form  of  the 
parent.  See  figure  42. 

Var,  "  Tom  Thumb,"  Ellwanger  and  Barry. — Origin- 
ated in  the  Mount  Hope  Nurseries,  at  Rochester,  N".  Y., 
and  differs  from  the  above  in  having  a  rounded  form,  quite 
slender  shoots,  and  occasionally  betrays  its  origin  by  a 
chance  sprig  with  fully  developed  leaves.  This  plant  was 
lately  introduced  into  England  under  the  same  name  as 
the  former,  thus  making  confusion  between  two  very 
similar  varieties. 


THE   BOOK    OF   EVEKGLEENS. 

The  above  two  varieties  illustrate  a  curious  and  inter- 
esting feature  in  the  morphology  of  leaves. 

According  to  JBraun,  all  plants  have  three  distinct  sys- 
tems of  foliage,  which  he  calls,  1st,  Cataphyllary,  2nd, 


Fig.  43.— THUJA  OCCIDENTALIS,  VAR.    ERICOIDES.—  STATIONARY    IN  THE 
CATAPHYLLARY  STATE. 

Euphyttary,  and  3d,  Hypsophyllary ;  and  represent,  1st, 
Infancy,  2nd,  Youth,  and  3d,  Maturity.  The  first  sys- 
tem of  leaves,  which  appear  soon  after  the  cotyledons  or 
seed-leaves,  form  a  distinct  class  by  themselves,  and  in 


THE    CTPEESS    SUB-FAMILY. 


325 


time  apparently  disappear,  and  are  succeeded  by  the 
second  system,  or  what  are  generally  known  as  the 
perfect  leaves.  These  are  ultimately  followed  by 

modified  leaves  in 
the  form  of  bracts, 
scales,  involucres, 
&c.,  which  consti- 
tute the  third  and 
last  system. 

Figure  42  shows  a 
small  sprig  of  the 
var.  ericoides,  in 
which  all  the  leaves 
are  heath-like,  and 
quite  unlike  those  of 
the  usual  form.  In 
this  variety  the  fo- 
liage remains  in  the 
cataphyllary  state, 
or  for  many  years 
in  the  condition  in 
which  it  is  in  the 
young  plant. 

The  change  from 
the  foliage  of  youth 
to  that  of  maturity, 
or  from  the  cataphyl- 
lary to  the  euphyl- 
lary  state  in  the 
Arbor  Yitae  is  shown 
in  the  engraving, 


Fig.    41.— THUJA     OCCIDENTALIS,      PASSING 

FROM  THE  EUPHYLLARY   TO  THE 

HYPSOPHYLLARY   STATE. 


figure  41,  while  the 
further    change    into   the    hypsophyllary  state,   or   that 
in  which  the  leaves  assume  the  forms  in  which  we  meet 
them  in  the  parts  of  the  flower,  etc.,  is  given  in  figure  43. 
These  three  forms,  however,  never  entirely  disappear  in 


3:26 


THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 


the  plant,  but  when  not  manifest  are  latent  or  dormant, 
and  have  the  power  of  breaking-out,  as  occasion  requires. 
In  the  Ericoides  and  Tom  Thumb  varieties  of  American 
Arbor  Vita?,  the  cataphyllary  leaves  have  obtained  a  marked 
preponderance,  and  occasionally,  as  has  been  stated,  the 
Tom  Thumb  endeavors  to  advance  to  the  euphyllary 
state,  and  occasional  shoots  bear  perfectly  developed 
.leaves.  In  a  bed  of  young  seedling  Thujas,  the  first  sys- 
tem of  leaves  will  be  found  to  resemble  those  of  the  va- 
rieties Ericoides  and  Tom  Thumb  in  every  particular. 


DOUBTFUL  SPECIES  OF  THUJA. 

T.  duillOSa,  Gordon. — We  find  this  plant  described  as 
a  species  in  Gordon's  Supplement,  and  as  the  plant  is  en- 
tirely unknown  to  us,  we  copy  his  description :  "  A  spread- 
ing little  bush,  densely  clothed  with  numerous,  short, 
tufted,  flat,  fan-shaped  branches,  growing  in  all  directions, 
and  thickly  set  with  short,  forked,  two-edged  branchlets 
of  a  glossy  light-green  above,  but  much  paler  below,  and 
furnished  in  the  back-rib  with  an  elevated,  transparent 
gland. 

"  This  kind  forms  a  dense,  dwarf,  confused  bush,  seldom 
growing  more  than  two  or  three  feet  high,  somewhat  re- 
sembling in  its  branchlets  the  Nootka-Sound  Arbor  Yitae, 
(T.  plicata,}  but  of  a  much  lighter  color. 

"  It  is  said  to  be  found  in  the  Antarctic  regions,  and  is 
quite  hardy." 


20.— TIIUIOPSIS,  Siebold. 

Flowers  monoecious,  small,  terminal,  solitary ;  staminate 
aments,  cylindrical.  Fertile  aments,  globular,  with  the 
carpellary  scales  reflexed,  and  covering  at  the  base  five 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  327 

compressed  ovules.  Cones  small,  with  coriaceous,  smooth, 
orbicular,  persistent  scales.  Seeds  with  an  emarginate, 
membranaceous  wing.  Leaves  persistent,  small,  scale-like, 
appressed,  and  imbricated  in  four  rows. 

This  handsome  new  genus  is  from  Japan,  where  it  was 
first  seen  and  described  by  Dr.  Siebold,  who  named  it 
from  its  resemblance  to  the  genus  Thuja. 

1.  Ti  dolabrata,  Siebold. — Syn.  Thuja  dolabrata,  Thun- 
berg. — Leaves  short,  ovate,  obtuse,  flattened,  or  slightly 
convex  above,  thick,  imbricated,  dark-green  color  above, 
and  glaucous  beneath.  Branches  spreading,  verticillate, 
drooping  at  the  extremities;  with  numerous,  compressed, 
bi serial,  branch! ets.  Cones  quite  small,  ovate,  with  jagged 
edges,  sessile ;  scales  reflexed,  and  wedge-formed. 

The  great  rarity  of  this  is,  as  yet,  a  serious  obstacle  in 
the  way  of  an  extensive  trial.  Plants  are  being  slowly 
introduced  into  our  collections,  and  we  trust  soon  to  be 
able  to  record  their  suitability  to  our  climate.  A  fine 
plant  of  this  Thuiopsis  in  the  beautiful  collection  of  Alfred 
Cope,  of  Germantown,  Pa.,  has  succeeded  quite  satisfac- 
torily for  several  years  in  a  shaded  situation,  but  how  it 
might  grow  on  an  open  and  exposed  spot,  we  are  unable 
to  judge. 

It  forms  a  drooping,  conical  tree,  about  40  or  50  feet 
high,  with  rather  an  open  head;  the  branches  extending 
vertically,  and  drooping  at  the  extremities.  The  form 
is  even  and  regular,  with  foliage  of  a  remarkably  rich 
dark-green  color,  which  is  heightened  by  a  peculiar 
glossiness  on  the  upper  surface,  and  a  glaucousness  be- 
neath. The  great  beauty  of  this  tree  has  caused  it  to  be 
very  popular  in  China  and  Japan,  where  it  is  grown  exten- 
sively in  pots,  and  is  also  used  for  avenues. 

It  delights  in  a  shaded  and  rather  moist  situation,  which 
should  be  borne  in  mind  by  cultivators  when  selecting  a 
location  here. 

This  splendid  tree  is  entirely  hardy  in  England,  and  we 


328 


THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 


hope  that  such  may  be  the  case  with  it  here.     Indeed, 
when  we  remember  that  the  Paulownia  and  Cryptomeria, 


Fig.  45. — THUIOPSIS  DOLABRATA. 

of  indisputable  hardiness,   (in  England,)  are  natives  of 
more  southern  provinces,  we  may  reasonably  indulge  in 


the  wish. 


THE    CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  329 

Var.  variegata.  Fortune. — From  the  gardens  about 
Yeddo,  in  Japan,  where  it  was  seen  by  Fortune,  and  sent 
to  England  in  1861.  The  usual  green  foliage  and  branch- 
lets  are  prettily  variegated  with  pale  straw  color  or  lemon 
yellow. 

Var.  liana,  Siebold. — Another  of  those  dwarf  plants 
which  the  Japanese  delight  in  producing,  and  cultivate 
principally  in  pots,  under  the  name  of  Ne&u.  The  leaves 
are  much  smaller  than  those  of  the  species,  and  the  plant 
very  dwarf  in  habit. 


NEW  SPECIES  OF  THUIOPSIS. 

2.  T,   Standishi,  Gordon. — This  very  handsome  new 
plant  was  introduced  into  the  Royal  Nursery,  at  Bagshot, 
England,  by  Fortune,  in  1861,  and  was  found  near  Yeddo, 
in  Japan. 

The  general  appearance  of  this  tree  is  not  very  unlike  that 
of  the  preceding  species,but  the  foliage  is  quite  distinct,  that 
of  the  T.  Standishibemg  covered  beneath  with  a  glaucous- 
ness  that  renders  it  quite  pleasing,  but  less  silvery  than 
that  of  the  T.  dolabrata.  The  leaves  of  the  former  are 
also  smaller  than  those  of  the  latter.  The  habit  of  the 
branches  is  somewhat  pendulous.  This  may  prove  to  be 
a  variety  of  T.  dolabrata,  but,  if  so,  a  very  distinct  and 
desirable  one. 

3.  T.  laetcvirens,  Hort. — A  beautiful  dwarf  Conifer, 
with  somewhat   the  aspect  of  a  true  Lycopod.     It  has 
lately  appeared   in  Japanese  collections,  but  whether  a 
true  species  or  not,  we  are  unable  to  state. 


330  THE    BOOK    OF    EVEEGREENS. 

21.— BIOTA,  Don.— ORIENTAL   OR    EASTERN  ARBOR 
VIT^E. 

Flowers  monoecious,  on  separate  branches ;  sterile  aments, 
elliptical,  or  somewhat  elongated;  fertile  aments,  spherical. 
Leaves  small,  ovate  rhomboid,  or  scale-like,  rather  obtuse, 
imbricated  in  four  rows,  opposite,  appressed,  and  glandu- 
lose.  Strobiles  elliptic,  with  thick,  ligneous,  or  coriaceous 
scales,  placed  in  opposite  pairs,  and  furnished  with  a  re- 
curved, horny  point.  Seeds,  2  at  the  base  of  each  scale, 
larger  than  in  Thuja,  ovoid,  with  a  bony  testa,  and  wing- 
less. 

This  genus  was  separated  from  Thuja  by  Don,  who  con- 
sidered them  so  widely  different  as  to  warrant  the  change. 
In  this  he  has  received  the  support  of  Carriere  and  others 
of  our  modern  writers  on  the  Coniferae. 

The  Thujas  are  confined  exclusively  to  the  Western  con- 
tinent, whilst  the  Biotas  are  natives  alone  of  the  Eastern. 

The  Biotas  are  medium-sized  trees,  growing  mostly  in 
an  upright  or  fastigiate  form,  and,  as  a  general  rule,  less 
compact  than  the  Thujas. 

This  defect  may  possibly  be  owing  to  the  severity  of 
our  climate,  injuring  the  young,  unripened  wood,  for  for- 
eign writers  allude  to  the  compactness  of  its  growth  in  the 
highest  terms  of  praise. 

The  Eastern  Arbor  Vitses  are  natives  of  China,  India, 
and  Japan,  and  were  first  introduced  into  England  about 
the  year  1752.  The  name  Biota  is  derived  from  52, "  two," 
and  otis,  an  "  ear." 

1.  B.  orientalis,  Don. — CHINESE  ARBOR  YITJE. — Leaves 
small,  opposite,  appressed,  convex,  obtuse,  bright  green 
color.  Branches  recurved  and  erect.  Branchlets,  numer- 
ous, 2-edged,  and  thickly  covered  with  leaves.  Strobiles 
rather  large,  roundish  or  elliptical,  with  thick,  coriaceous 
scales,  opening  lengthwise,  and  disclosing  the  naked,  ovoid, 
wingless  seeds. 


THE   CTPEESS    SUB-FAMILY. 


331 


The  Chinese  Arbor  Vitae  has  now  become  so  well  known 
in  this  country  as  to  scarcely  need  a  description,  but  it  is 
so  far  inferior  to  our  own  native  Thuja,  both  for  speci- 
men planting  and  for  screens,  that  it  must  in  future  remain 
decidedly  in  the  rear.  It  was  popular  in  former  years  for 
both  the  above  purposes,  but  it  has  now  fallen  into  disuse. 


Fig.  43.— BIOTA  ORIENT ALIS. 


This  species  is  found  throughout  China  and  Japan, 
where  it  grows  to  the  height  of  20  feet. 

The  Biota  orientalis  presents  to  the  student  of  botany 
an  interesting  study  in  the  morphology  of  its  fruit,  per- 
haps more  so  in  respect  to  the  great  diversity  of  outward 


332 


THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 


form  than  any  other  Conifer.  Each  variety  of  this  species 
is  characterized  by  a  peculiar  shape,  differing  not  only 
from  the  type  of  its 
parent,  but  from  all  the 
others;  thus  causing  a 
multiplicity  of  specific 
names  in  our  standard 
works  on  the  family.  A 
careful  investigation  of 
the  internal  arrange- 
ment of  the  cones  should, 
however,  eradicate  all 
idea  of  distinct  species. 
We  have  considered  this 
subject  to  be  of  sufficient 
importance  to  illustrate 
the  cones  of  several,  va- 
rieties, showing  the  very 
distinct  appearance  pre- 
sented. This  species  as- 
sumes different  forms  of 
foliage,  similar  to  those 
mentioned  under  Thuja 
Occident  alls.  The  com- 
mon form  is  seen  in 
figure  45,  while  figure 
46  shows  the  transition 
from  the  cataphyllary  to 
the  euphyllary  condition. 
If  the  species  is  liable 
to  objection,  its  numer- 

ous   variptipq    irP    vnln 
ous   varieties   are   vaiu- 

able,     particularly     the 

Var,  aurea,  Hort.  —  GOLDEK  ARBOR  VITJE.  —  This  really 
desirable  little  shrub  was  introduced  by  Waterer,  under 
the  name  of  Thuja  aurea.  It  is  apparently  more  hardy 


g>  47'~  BIOTA    ORIENTALIS.  CHANGING 
FKOM  THE  CATAPHYLLARY  TO  THE 
EUPHYLLARY  STATE. 


THE   CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY. 


333 


than  its  parent,  although  not  sufficiently  so  for  our  more 
northern  States.  The  form  is  compact  and  globular,  the 
color  a  lively  yellowish  green,  and  the  foliage  more  deli- 
cate in  texture  than  the  species.  Its  maximum  height 

will  perhaps  not  ex- 
ceed six  feet.  A 
specimen  in  our  own 
collection,  (see  fig- 
ure 47),  which  is 
probably  one  of  the 
oldest  in  the  country, 
is  over  five  feet  high, 
and  a  perfect  model 
of  beauty.  An  ob- 
jectionable feature 
in  this  plant  is  its 
liability  to  lose  the 
lower  branches  and 
foliage,  which  great- 
ly disfigures  its  ap- 
pearance ;  this  es- 
pecially occurs  when 
planted  in  unsuit- 


Fig.   48. — BIOTA  ORIEOTALIS,  VAR.   AUREA. 

able  soil. 


Var.  Sieboldii,  Endlicher. — Syn.  B.  Japonica,  Siebold ; 
B.  orientalis  nana,  Carriere,  &c.,  &c. — A  pretty  little 
dwarf  variety,  with  a  round,  conrpact  form,  and  bright 
green  color.  We  have  imported  a  B.  Japonica  from  Bel- 
gium which  is  quite  distinct  from  this  plant,  having  a 
fastigiate  tendency,  instead  of  a  globular  form.  On  account 
of  the  peculiar  branchlets  and  leaves  of  this  variety,  the 
Japanese  have  given  it  the  name  of  "  Peacock's  Tail." 

Var.  variegata  aurea,  Carriere. — This  very  pretty 
plant  originated,  we  believe,  in  the  collection  of  M.  Dau- 
vesse,  at  Orleans,  France,  and  was  discovered  in  a  bed  of 


334  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

seedlings.  In  our  opinion,  it  is  the  most  distinct  and 
beautiful  of  the  variegated  Conifers.  The  rich  golden  yel- 
low is  so  exquisitely  shaded  and  mellowed  down  to  pure 
white,  and  again  so  prettily  tipped  with  pink,  as  to  cause 
the  most  inveterate  hater  of  these  oddities  to  respect  it. 
If,  however,  as  Dr.  Siebold  asserts,  they  are  but  the  result 
of  disease,  will  they  not  be  less  hardy  and  reliable  than 
when  in  their  normal  condition?  Practice  certainly,  in 
many  instances,  refutes  this  theory,  for  we  very  frequently 
find  the  variegated  forms  even  more  hardy  than  the  par- 
ent in  its  perfect  state.  A  case  in  point  is  this  variety, 
for  it  has  proven  itself  to  be  less  liable  to  injury  from  ex-- 
cessive  cold  weather  or  sudden  changes  than  the  species. 
It  also  stands  our  hot  summers  remarkably  well.  We 
also  find  the  variegated  Yews  to  be  more  hardy  than 
their  parent. 

Var.  argentea9  Sort. — We  consider  this  variety  as  un- 
worthy of  cultivation,  the  young  shoots  and  leaves  being 
merely  tipped  with  white,  which  is  scarcely  discernible  at 
maturity. 

Var.  gracilis,  Carriere. — Syn.  B.  Nepalensis,  JEndlicher. 
— This  is  readily  distinguished  from  the  species  by  its  deli- 
cate small  foliage  and  light  green  color ;  the  former  has 
also  slender  and  graceful  branches,  and  is  more  dense  in 
character.  It  is  a  native  of  the  higher  portions  of  India 
and  Nepal.  It  appears  quite  hardy  here,  and  is  much  ad- 
mired by  our  cultivators  generally. 

Var.  pyramidalis,  Endlicher. — Syn.  var.  strict  a,  London, 
&c. — Although  somewhat  resembling  the  var.  Tartarica  in 
its  form,  it  is  nevertheless  distinct.  It  is  very  fastigiate 
in  growth,  and  assumes  the  proportions  of  a  medium-sized 
tree,  closely  resembling  at  a  distance  the  upright  form  of 
a  Cypress.  It  is  more  rapid  in  growth,  and  larger  in 
branch  and  foliage  than  the  species. 

Var.  flagelliformis,  Jacques. — WEEPING  ARBOR 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  335 


Fig.  49.— BIOTA  ORIENTALIS,  VAE.   FLAGELLIFORMIS. 


336  THE   BOOK   OP   EVERGREENS. 

— Syn.  B.  pendula,  EndlicJier ;  T.  pendula,  Lambert ;  T. 
filliformis,  Loddiges,  &c.,  &c. — The  Weeping  Arbor  Vita? 
is  the  most  graceful  and  decidedly  pendulous  of  all  Coni- 
fers that  will  survive  our  northern  winters.  Its  origin  is 
obscure.  Some  authors  hold  that  it  is  a  distinct  and  un- 
doubted species,  and  others,  (ourselves  included,)  that  it  is 
only  a  marked  variety,  raised  from  the  seed  'of  13.  orien- 
talis.  Figured  on  the  preceding  page. 

A  botanical  friend,  some  years  ago,  for  the  purpose  of 
testing  its  true  character,  raised  a  quantity  of  young  plants 
from  seed  gathered  from  this  tree,  and  the  result  was  a 
stock  of  unmistakable  young  Chinese  Arbor  Vitaes.  "Not 
in  a  single  instance  was  there  an  exception.  A  subsequent 
examination  of  the  fruit  has  confirmed  our  opinion  that 
this  plant  is  nothing  more  than  a  variety,  but,  we  confess, 
a  very  distinct  and  puzzling  one. 

In  a  description  of  the  specimen  plant  at  the  Turin  Bo- 
tanic Garden,  Dr.  Hooker  says  that  the  intelligent  head- 
gardener  informed  him  of  the  same  circumstance  occurring 
there  that  we  have  alluded  to  above.  Wm.  Loddiges,  of 
the  Hackney  Nursery,  England,  affirms  that  he  picked  out 
this  same  Weeping  Arbor  Vitae  from  a  bed  of  seedlings, 
raised  from  seed  of  B.  orientalis.  He  was  under  the  im- 
pression that  it  might  be  a  hybrid  between  that  species 
and  Juniperus  Virginiana  or  J.  Ghinensis.  Dr.  Hooker 
mentions  that  Lambert  "  suspects  it  to  be  a  native  of  the 
parts  of  Tartary  near  China." 

The  branches  of  this  beautiful  Arbor  Vita3  curve  grace- 
fully to  the  ground,  and,  unlike  the  species,  have  acute 
leaves.  It  has  proven  reasonably  hardy  with  us,  and  in 
most  places  throughout  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States ; 
those  cases  to  the  contrary  are  very  probably  in  uncon- 
genial soil.  It  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  root  from  cut- 
tings, but  does  well  grafted  or  inarched  on  the  species. 

Var,  hybrid  a,  Sort. — A  variety  sent  out  by  the  French 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY. 


337 


nurserymen,  which 


has  proven  to  be  very  hardy  and 
handsome.  It  great- 
ly resembles  the  var. 
gracilis,  but  is  pos- 
sibly more  compact 
in  growth. 

Var,    monstrosa, 

Carriere. — This  dif- 
fers from  the  species 
in  having  fewer,  but 
larger  and  shorter 
branchlets,  curious- 
ly contorted,  and 
thick  leaves,  mostly 
obtuse,  ovate.  A 
new  and  unintro- 
duced  plant. 

Tar,  elegantissi- 

ma,  Rollinson. — A 
new  plant  in  the  way  of  var.  variegata  aurea,  but  having 
only  the  ends  of  the  young  branchlets  marked  with  a 
lovely  golden  yellow  during 
the  summer  and  autumn 
months.  The  form  is  also 
much  more  upright. 

Var.  macrocarpa,  Sort. 
— This  fine  new  Arbor  Yitse 
was  introduced  by  Ellwanger 
and  Barry,  of  the  Mt.  Hope 
Nurseries,  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
as  "  Thuja  macrocarpa,  from 
California ;"  but  since  it  has 
fruited  in  our  own  collection,  Fig.  51.— BIOTA  ORIENTALS,  VAR. 

.  MACROCARPA. 

we  have  assigned  it  a  true 

position  in  regard  to  its  generic  name.     We  believe,  how- 
15 


Fig.  50. — BIOTA  ORIENTALIS,  VAR.  HYBRID  A. 


338  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

ever,  it  is  a  well-marked  variety  of  JB.  orientalis,  with  a 
dense  habit  of  growth,  stout  branches,  large  foliage,  and 
with  fruit  exceeding  in  size  that  of  any  other  Biota.  It 
has  proven  quite  hardy  here,  a  rapid  grower,  and  quite 
desirable,  although  possibly  not  so  distinct  as  we  might 
wish.  The  figure,  51,  is  from  specimens  with  cones  much 
under  the  usual  size,  the  tree  the  past  season  having  pro- 
duced an  enormous  quantity  of  fruit. 

Var.  Tartarica. — TARTARIAN  ARBOR  TITLE. — Quite  dis- 
tinct in  general  appearance  from  the  Chinese  Arbor  Vitae. 


Fig.  52. — BIOTA  OKIENTALIS,   VAIl.    TARTARICA. 

In  the  Revue  Porticole,  Carrier e,  who  considers  it  as  a 
species,  has  written  an  interesting  article  on  the  distinc- 
tions between  it  and  B.  orientalis,  accompanied  by  cuts 
of  the  foliage  and  fruit.  He  recommends  its  introduction 
for  screens,  and  for  taking  the  place  of  the  Cypress  in  ceme- 
teries. -It  much  resembles  the  Cypress  in  form,  and  is  of 
the  same  dark  glossy  green  color.  Being  very  hardy,  it 
is  well  worthy  of  a  place  in  American  collections. 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  339 

Var.  Meldensis,  Hort. — Syn.  B.  Meldensis,  Lawson. — 
Notwithstanding  most  foreign  writers  have  considered  this 
curious  plant  a  hybrid,  and  some  even  supposed  it  bore  a 
close  relationship  to  the  Red  Cedar,  (Juniperus  Vir- 
giniana,)  it  has  nevertheless  proven  to  be  a  distinct  va- 
riety of  the  B.  orientalis.  The  fruit,  which  perfected  the 
past  season,  has 
stamped  its  true 
origin ;  and  a  study 
of  the  foliage  plain- 
ly shows  that  it  has 
abnormal  leaves,  or, 
in  other  words,  they 
are  in  the  cataphyl- 
lary  state.  The 
leaves  are  sharp, 
needle-shaped,  de- 
current,  glaucous  on 
the  young  shoots, 
and  light  green  on 
the  adult  branches. 
Like  the  young  seed- 
lings of  the  species, 
the  foliage  changes 
to  a  dingy  hue 
during  the  winter 
months.  A  remark- 
able feature  in  this 
plant  is  a  curious 
zigzag  form  in  the  FiS-  53.— BIOTA  ORIENTALIS,  VAK.  MELDENSIS. 

younger  growth,  having  the  appearance,  early  in  the  sea- 
son, of  spiral  circles,  and  is  very  decided  in  its  char- 
acter. Although  it  is  quite  handsome,  especially  during 
the  early  summer  months,  we  cannot  recommend  it  for 
hardiness,  nor  freedom  from  blight  in  the  lower  branches 
— a  serious  defect  in  the  whole  genus. 


340  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

DOUBTFUL  SPECIES  OF  BIOTA. 

2.  B.  falcata,  Sort. — Syn.  Thuja  falcata,  Lindley. — 
Collectors  in  Japan  have  recently  introduced  this  plant, 
which  may  prove  to  be  but  a  variety  of  13.  orientalis.  It 
is  very  upright  and  conical  in  growth,  with  elegant  foliage 
and  a  compact  habit,  and  is  frequently  used  in  its  native 
country  for  ornamental  hedges  and  screens. 

3*  B.  pygmaea. — Introduced  under  the  name  of  Thvja 
pygmcea,  but  which  also  may  be  nothing  more  than  a  va- 
riety of  _Z?.  orientalis.  "  Its  beautiful  dark-green  foliage 
forms  a  cushion-like  tuft,  giving  it  a  most  distinct  and 
novel  appearance,  and  rendering  it  one  of  the  prettiest  of 
dwarf  Conifers."— I.  G-.  Veitch. 


22.— CUPRESSIJS,  Tournefort.— CYPRESS. 

Flowers  monoecious  on  different  branches,  in  terminal, 
small  catkins.  Sterile  catkins  composed  of  shield-shaped, 
scale-like  filaments,  bearing  2  to  4  anther  cells  under  the 
lower  margin.  Fertile  catkins  globular,  of  shield-shaped 
scales  in  4  ranks,  bearing  several  erect,  bottle-shaped  ovules. 
Cones  globular,  firmly  closed,  but  opening  at  maturity ; 
the  scales  thick  and  woody,  pointed  or  bossed  in  the  mid- 
dle ;  the  few  or  several  narrowly  winged  seeds  attached 
to  their  contracted  base  or  stalk.  Cotyledons,  2  or  3. 
Strong-scented  evergreen  trees,  with  very  small  and  scale- 
like,  closely  appressed,  imbricated  leaves,  and  exceedingly 
durable  wood. —  Gray. 

Of  this  large  genus  we  have  but  three  or  four  species 
that  will  endure  the  climate  of  the  Middle  States.  They 
are  natives  of  North  America,  Southern  Europe,  and  Asia, 
varying  greatly  in  size,  from  the  smallest  shrubs  to  the 
majestic  Californian  trees  that  are  over  100  feet  in  height. 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  341 

The  Cypresses  constitute  a  remarkably  elegant  class  of 
trees,  with  mostly  slender,  drooping  branches,  or,  in  a  few 
instances,  rather  formal  in  outline.  In  England,  where 
the  majority  are  hardy,  writers  speak  of  them  as  rivaling 
in  elegance  and  delicacy  most  of  the  order ;  and  the  variety 
and  great  diversity  of  forms  presented  by  the  different 
species  cause  them  to  be  held  in  high  esteem.  With  us, 
to  a  certain  extent,  they  are  rare  and  unknown ;  for  al- 
though we  have  sufficiently  tested  such  species  as  C.  toru- 
losa,  C.  funebris,  and  C.  sempervirens,  there  yet  remain  a 
number  of  beautiful  kinds  that  may  eventually  prove  use- 
ful in  our  collections. 

The  Cypress  has  always  been  the  emblem  of  mourning, 
and  in  some  countries  the  trees  are  used  for  planting  in 
cemeteries,  where  their  drooping  or  upright  characters 
eminently  fit  them  for  the  situation. 

"  O'er  ruined  shrines  and  silent  tombs 
The  weeping  Cypress  spreads  its  glooms, 
In  immortality  of  woe." 

This  custom  was  introduced  by  the  ancient  Romans,  who 
not  only  planted  this  tree  near  the  last  resting-place  of 
their  relatives  and  friends,  but,  according  to  tradition, 
used  it  for  the  purpose  of  expressing  their  mourning  by 
placing  young  sprigs  against  the  house,  in  the  manner 
crape  is  used  at  the  present  day.  The  practice  of  plant- 
ing the  Cypress  upon  graves  is  yet  religiously  observed 
by  the  Turks,  and  the  tree  is  consequently  held  in  respect 
and  veneration  by  them. 

The  derivation  of  the  name  is  supposed  to  be  in  honor 
of  the  intimate  friend  of  the  god  Apollo,  Cyparissus,  son 
of  Telephus,  who  was  transformed  by  Apollo  into  the 
Cypress  tree,  after  he  had  died  of  grief,  caused  by  killing 
the  god's  stag.  Some  authors,  however,  suppose  the  name 
to  be  derived  from  the  Isle  of  Cypress,  where  this  genus 
was  first  found  in  abundance. 

It  appears  that  Spach  has  separated  a  portion  of  this 


342  THE  BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

genus  under  the  name  of  Chamcecyparis  /  but  his  course 
has  been  followed  by  very  few  writers  on  the  Goniferse. 
We  have  carefully  examined  Spach's  description,  and  com- 
pared it  with  the  recognized  characteristics  that  belong 
to  the  Cupressus,  and  cannot  see  that  he  is  justified  in 
making  the  change. 

!•  C»  LawSOlliana,  Murray. — LAWSON'S  CYPRESS. — 
Leaves,  lanceolate,  changing  to  ovate  at  maturity,  short, 
quadrifarious,  closely  appressed,  with  glaucous  margins, 
most  with  a  gland  on  the  back.  Branches,  ascending, 
and  recurved  at  the  extremities,  numerous,  flexuose.  Cones, 
small,  short-peduncled,  many-sided,  light  brown  color, 
with  rough,  flat,  woody  scales,  (6,)  that  terminate  in  a 
straight  point.  Seeds,  quite  large,  generally  3  to  a  scale. 

This  very  beautiful  species  is  from  Northern  California, 
growing  in  the  Shasta  and  Scots'  valleys,  and  attaining  to 
a  height  of  100  feet.  The  discoverer,  Murray,  mentions 
it  as  being  the  handsomest  tree  seen  by  him  during  his 
expedition.  The  habit  of  the  tree  is  exceedingly  grace- 
ful ;  the  branches  at  first  curving  upwards,  like  those  of 
the  common  Spruce,  and  towards  the  ends  hanging  down 
like  ostrich  feathers,  with  the  leading  shoot,  when  young, 
drooping  after  the  manner  of  the  Deodar. 

The  delicate  beauty  of  this  tree  is  such  that  it  will  in- 
variably become  a  favorite  wherever  known.  The  charm- 
ing feathery  lightness  of  the  foliage,  which  is  of  a  bluish- 
green  color,  combined  with  the  general  character  of  the 
whole  tree,  forms  such  a  striking  feature  as  to  render  it  the 
admiration  of  every  one.  The  tree  grows  rapidly,  and  the 
branches  are  so  slender  and  regular  as  to  impart  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  delicate  mass  of  ferns  or  rich  glaucous-green 
plumes,  curving  gracefully  to  the  ground. 

When  young,  it  closely  resembles  C.  Nuikaensis,  but 
can  readily  be  distinguished  from  that  species  by  its  glau- 
cous appearance,  as  well  as  by  the  more  slender  and  deli- 
cate growth.  It  may  not  prove  so  hardy,  but  it  is  decid- 


THE   CYPKESS    SUB-FAMILY. 


343 


Fig.  53.— CUPRESSUS    LAWSONIANA.—  FROM  A  PHOTOGRAPH    OF  A  SPECI- 
MEN, 14  FEET  HIGH,  IN  THE  AUTHOR'S  COLLECTION, 


344  TEIE   BOOK    OF   EVEEGEEENS. 

edly  more  graceful  and  handsome.  In  England,  it  has 
proven  a  perfect  success,  and  is  in  great  demand ;  and  the 
ease  with  which  it  is  grown  from  seeds  is  rapidly  increas- 
ing the  stock  of  plants,  and  consequently  lowering  the 
price. 

Our  experience  with  this  desirable  species  has  been 
exceedingly  encouraging,  and,  judging  from  the  few 
years  that  it  has  been  known  to  our  cultivators,  we  can 
certainly  feel  very  sanguine  in  regard  to  its  hardiness  in 
the  Middle  States.  When  the  plants  are  young,  the  tips 
of  the  shoots  are  apt  to  be  injured  during  the  winter, 
which  is  attributable  to  their  strong  and  late  growth  in  the 
autumn,  and  on  this  account  care  must  be  taken  that  no 
stimulating  manures  be  applied. 

Probably  the  finest  specimen  in  the  country  is  in  the 
collection  of  Parsons  &  Co.,  at  Flushing,  L.  I.,  and  is,  at 
the  present  writing,  some  10  or  12  feet  high.  We  have 
also  noticed  some  excellent  plants  in  the  extensive  Wod- 
nethe  collection. 

Gordon  says :  "  The  timber  is  good,  clear,  and  easily 
worked,  with  a  strong  odor." 

We  know  of  no  species  that  appears  to  sport  so  readily 
into  distinct  forms  and  varieties  as  the  Lawson's  Cypress ; 
scarcely  a  bed  of  young  seedlings  can  be  found  that  has 
not  several  unique  looking  plants  contained  in  it.  A  few 
of  the  best  recognized  varieties  we  here  enumerate. 

Var.  aurea,  Wciterer. — (GOLDEN"  VAEIEGATED.) — This 
is  a  very  distinct  English  sport,  originating  in  Waterer's 
Nursery,  at  Bagshot,  and  said  to  be  quite  desirable. 

Var,  argentea? -Ea^soft.— (SILVEE  VAEIEGATED.) — This 
differs  from  the  above  in  having  the  smaller  branchlets  and 
leaves  prettily  tipped  with  white.  It  originated  in  Law- 
son's  Nursery,  at  Edinburgh,  Scotland. 

The  Lawsons  have  also  introduced  other  ^dnds  under 
the  names  of 


THE    CYPEESS   SUB-FAMILY.  345 

Var,  compacta,  var,  laxa,  and  var,  stricta,  but  of 

their  merits  we  are  unable  to  speak.  In  the  grounds  of 
the  late  Wm.  Held,  Elizabethtown,  X.  J.,  we  noticed  two 
very  curious  varieties  of  this  species ;  one  quite  dwarf  and 
compact  in  habit,  and  the  other  as  upright  and  fastigiate 
in  growth  as  a  Pyramidal  Cypress. 

2.  C.  Nutkaensis,  Lambert. — NOOTKA-SOUND  CYPRESS. 
— Syn.  Thuiopsis  Borealis,  Fischer. — Leaves,  -J  of  an  inch 
long,  quadrifarious,  sharp-pointed,  imbricated,  appressed, 
dark-green  color,  very  slightly  glaucous,  without  tubercles. 
Branches,  somewhat  spreading,  or  sub-erect,  incurved  at 
the  extremities,  tetragonal,  and  very  numerous.  Cones, 
small,  globular,  solitary,  with  a  fine  glaucous  bloom. 
Scales,  (4,)  small,  shield-shaped,  rough,  and  terminating  in 
the  centre  with  a  thick,  obtuse,  straight  point.  Seeds, 
mostly  3  to  scale,  flat,  with  a  hard  bony  testa,  and  broad, 
membranaceous  wing. 

The  Nootka-Sound  Cypress,  (most  generally  known  as 
the  Thuiopsis  JBorealis,)  is  a  fine  new  species  from  the  Pa- 
cific Coast,  in  North-western  America.  It  was  found  near 
Nootka  Sound,  by  Menzies;  on  the  Island  of  Sitka,  by 
Bongard ;  and  at  Observatory  Inlet,  by  Dr.  Scouler.  Gor- 
don says,  it  is  "  a  tall,  evergreen  tree,  from  80  to  100  feet 
in  height,  with  spreading  or  curved  flexible  branches,  which, 
when  old,  are  covered  with  small  blisters,  filled  with  a 
fine  ^aromatic  balsam ;  but  every  part  of  the  plant,  when 
bruised  or  cut,  emits  a  strong  odor,  very  much  resembling 
the  smell  of  the  common  Savin." 

Our  experience  with  this  species  has  been  entirely  satis- 
factory, and  we  have  observed  the  same  success  attending 
it  in  other  localities.  Should  it  continue  to  be  as  reliable 
in  the  future,  we  may  congratulate  ourselves.  The  tree 
grows  finely,  is  very  compact  and  dense  in  habit,  is  appar- 
ently adapted  to  a  great  diversity  of  soils,  and  has  par- 
ticularly pleasing  foliage. 

As  this  plant  was  unfortunately  sent  out  under  the 
15* 


346  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREEN'S. 

name  of  Thuiopsis,  from  which  genus,  however,  it  is  very 
distinct,  it  is  yet  known  by  that  name  in  this  country,  and 
more  particularly  in  our  nursery  catalogues.  As  these 
misnomers  always  strike  at  the  very  life  of  botany,  every 
plant  should  invariably  receive  its  correct  title  without 
regard  to  any  previous  one  that  has  been  incorrectly  ap- 
plied to  it.  Nuttall  says :  "  It  has  a  near  affinity  with  the 
common  White  Cedar,  but  that  has  shorter,  flatter,  and 
more  spreading  branches,  with  tubercles  on  the  back  of 
the  leaves,  and  smaller  fruit." 

This  species  was  introduced  into  England  in  the  year 
1851,  by  Dr.  Fischer,  through  the  Russian  Gardens  at  St. 
Petersburg. 

3.  C.  thyoides,  Linnaeus. — WHITE  CEDAE. — Syn.  Cha- 
maecyparis  sphaeroidea,  Spach,  &c. — Leaves,  very  small, 
ovate,  appressed,  regularly  imbricated  in  four  rows,  very 
numerous,  light  glaucous  green  color.  Branches,  spread- 
ing, and  drooping  at  the  extremities,  with  numerous  2- 
edged  branchlets.  Cones,  very  small,  globular,  clustered, 
short-peduncled,  few-seeded;  with  shield-shaped,  blunt- 
pointed  scales.  Seeds,  very  small  and  globular. 

This  well-known  species  has  been  made  the  type  of  a 
new  genus  by  Spach,  and  consequently  described  by  sev- 
eral European  authors,  prominent  among  whom  are  End- 
licher,  Knight,  Carriere,  Gordon,  &c.,  as  Chamcecyparis. 
Our  American  botanists,  however,  who  have  known  it  from 
childhood,  and  whose  facilities  for  close  investigation  are 
amply  sufficient,  refuse  to  accept  the  innovation,  and  con- 
sequently retain  it  in  Cupressus. 

From  Florida  to  our  northern  lakes,  the  White  Cedar 
is  occasionally  found,  being  more  or  less  plentiful  accord- 
ing to  the  soil  and  situation.  In  either  of  its  extreme 
limits  it  is  somewhat  rare,  being  more  abundant  through- 
Out  the  Middle  States,  Virginia,  and  North  Carolina.  It 
is  invariably  restricted  to  low,  marshy  ground,  where  it 
flourishes  with  unusual  vigor,  and  multiplies  with  rapid- 


THE   CYPEESS    SUB-FAMILY. 


347 


ity,  soon  covering  the  vast  tracts  of  swampy  soil  in  the 
maritime  districts.     It  is  frequently  seen  associated  with 


Fig.  55.— CUPRESSUS   THTOIDES. 

the  Deciduous  Cypress,  (Taxodlum  dlstichum,)  Sour  Gum, 
(Nyssa  multiftora^  and  Red  Maple,  (Acer  rubrum,)  and 
forming  dense  and  almost  impenetrable  masses  of  foliage, 


348  THE    BOOK   OP   EVERGEEEXS. 

which,  in  many  instances,  constitute  delightful  localities 
for  the  enthusiastic  botanist. 

In  speaking  of  these  swamps,  Michaux  says :  "  The  trees 
stand  so  thick  in  them  that  the  light  can  hardly  penetrate 
the  foliage,  and  in  their  gloomy  shade  spring  at  every 
step  tufts  of  the  Dwarf  Rose  Bay,  Honeysuckle,  and  An- 
dromeda, whose  luxuriant  vegetation  proves  that  they  de- 
light in  dark  and  humid  exposures."  In  addition  to  these, 
the  orchidaceous  plants  unfold  their  gorgeous  blossoms 
beneath  this  leafy  canopy,  and  the  rarer  Cryptogamia  en- 
joy its  protecting  shade. 

The  White  Cedar  rarely  exceeds  70  or  80  feet  in  height, 
with  a  straight,  tapering  trunk,  and  when  growing  in  close, 
compact  masses,  the  branches  are  scattered  and  the  head 
open  and  straggling.  When  solitary,  however,  we  have 
seen  specimens  of  this  tree  that  were  far  from  inelegant. 
Its  general  appearance  resembles  both  a  Juniper  and  an 
Arbor  Vitae ;  and  Emerson  remarks  in  his  excellent  book 
on  the  Trees  of  Massachusetts,  "  This  graceful  and  beau- 
tiful tree  connects  the  Arbor  Vita3  with  the  Cypresses, 
having  the  characters  of  both ;  the  scale-like,  imbricated 
leaves  and  fan-si i aped  branches  of  the  former,  and  the  lofty 
port  and  globular  or  many-sided  fruit  of  the  latter." 

One  of  the  neatest  and  most  tasteful  evergreen  hedges 
that  we  have  ever  seen  was  formed  of  this  plant,  and  is 
growing  in  the  fine  collection  of  the  late  Wm.  Reid,  at 
Elizabethtown,  N".  J.  For  this  purpose  it  is  much  superior 
to  our  common  Red  Cedar,  (Juniperus  Virginianaj)  the 
latter  becoming  open  and  defective  with  age. 

The  wood  of  the  White  Cedar  is  exceedingly  durable  and 
easily  worked,  and  in  regard  to  its  value,  Michaux  observes : 
"  The  wood  is  light,  soft,  fine-grained,  and  easily  wrought. 
When  perfectly  seasoned,  and  exposed  for  some  time  to  the 
light,  it  is  of  a  rosy  hue.  It  has  a  strong  aromatic  odor,  which 
it  preserves  as  long  as  it  is  guarded  from  humidity.  The 
perfect  wood  resists  the  succession  of  dryness  and  moisture 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  349 

longer  than  that  of  any  other  species,  and  for  this  quality 
principally,  as  well  as  for  its  extreme  lightness,  it  is  prefer- 
red at  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia  for  shingles,  which  are 
cut  transversely  to  the  concentric  circles,  and  not  parallel 
like  those  of  the  Cypress." 

Var,  Tariegata,  London. — This  is  a  distinctly  marked 
plant  that  we  have  grown  for  several  years  with  much 
satisfaction.  It  is  entirely  hardy,  and  forms  a  striking 
contrast  in  a  collection.  A  portion  of  the  branchlets  and 
leaves  are  marked  with  white  and  yellow  dots  and  stripes. 

Var.  liana,  London. — A  glaucous  and  very  compact 
dwarf  variety,  which  is  perhaps  unknown  in  this  country. 

Var.  Kewensis,  Hort. — Syn.  ChamaBcyparis  sph&roidea 
glauca,  Endlicher. — A  variety  that  is  said  to  be  very  dif- 
ferent from  the  species  in  many  characteristics.  The 
foliage  is  of  a  peculiar  silvery  glaucousness,  and  the  form 
of  the  tree  is  more  compact.  It  grows  about  the  same 
height  as  the  species. 

Var,  atrovirens,  Lawson. — This  differs  from  the  species 
only  in  having  the  leaves  almost  entirely  free  from  the 
glaucousness  of  the  parent,  and  of  a  bright  shining  green 
color. 

4.  C.  fragrans,  Kellogg.  —  FRAGRANT  CYPRESS.  — 
Is  described  in  the  Proc.  of  the  Cal.  Acad.  of  Nat.  Sci- 
ence, Vol.  I,  page  103,  as  follows:  "This  species  bears 
the  nearest  resemblance  to  Cupressus  Lawsoniana,  but 
differs  from  it  most  strikingly  in  the  brighter  green  of  its 
foliage,  and  its  far  denser  branchlets ;  also  in  the  leaves 
being  narrower,  much  more  angular,  and  sharper  pointed ; 
the  cones  are  from  one-third  to  twice  the  size,  more  rough ; 
also  in  color,  form,  and  more  sparse  distribution,  etc. ;  it 
is  also  a  tree  of  larger  proportions  in  all  respects." 

The  wood  abounds  in  an  oil,  which  exhales  a  peculiar 
spicy  aroma ;  hence  it  is  frequently  known  among  lumber- 


350  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

men  as  the  "  Ginger  Pine."  It  is  also  called  the  "  Oregon 
Cedar." 

In  regard  to  its  general  appearance,  "  Mr.  A.  F.  Beards- 
ley,  the  well-known  collector,  and  enterprising  discoverer 
of  this  and  several  other  new  species,  says  this  tree  grows 
straight,  six  feet  in  diameter,  150  feet  in  height,  and 
nearly  destitute  of  branches  for  50  to  70  feet ;  but  when 
found  singly,  its  long,  slender,  pendulous  branches  are  re- 
tained down  nearly  to  the  ground,  making  the  general 
outlines  columnar,  surmounted  by  an  elongated  pyramid." 
We  presume  it  will  prove  equally  as  hardy  as  the  C. 
Lawsoniana. 


TENDER    SPECIES    OF    CUPRESSUS. 

The  species  in  the  following  list  have  mostly  been  test- 
ed in  this  country,  and  are  considered  by  cultivators  as 
rather  tender  for  our  climate.  A  few  of  the  newer  intro- 
ductions may  possibly  prove  hardy.  At  one  time  we  im- 
ported strong  plants  of  every  species  we  could  obtain 
from  the  European  growers,  but  after  a  fair  test  we  were 
obliged  to  renounce  all,  excepting  those  we  have  previously 
described. 

'  5t  C.  aromatica.  Van  Houtte. — Syn.  C.  California, 
Carriere.—A.  new  and  uncertain  species  of  which  little  is 
known,  and,  according  to  Carriere,  a  native  of  California. 
It  is  said  to  be  of  strong  growth,  and  somewhat  like  the 
C.  Lusitanica  in  appearance,  but  no  hardier.  The  foliage 
and  branchlets  emit  a  strong  odor  when  bruised. 

6.  C,  attenuate!,  Gordon. — This  new  introduction  is 
probably  unknown  in  our  country,  although  proven  quite 


THE    CYPEESS   SUB-FAMILY.  351 

hardy  in  England,  according  to  Gordon.  It  is  a  small  tree 
or  large  shrub,  about  8  or  10  feet  in  height,  and  is  describ- 
ed as  being  very  graceful  and  handsome. 

It  is  found  in  the  valleys  along  streams  of  water,  in  the 
Shasta  country  of  Northern  California. 

7.  C.  Benthami,  Endlicher. — A  species  from  50  to  60 
feet  in  height,  discovered  by  Hartweg  growing  on  the 
mountains  of  Mexico,  at  elevations  varying  from  5,000  to 
7,000  feet.  This  fine  tree  forms  a  dense,  compact  head, 
with  long,  slender  branches.  It  will  not  stand  our  climate. 
This  species  mus£  not  be  confounded  with  the  C.  thurifera, 
of  Hurnboldt. 

81  C.  Corneyanaj  Knight. — Syn.  Juniperus  Chinensis 
Corneyana,  Gordon  in  Pinetum. — This  very  pretty  little 
tree  closely  resembles  the  female  form  of  the  Chinese  Ju- 
niper, and  was  consequently  placed  as  a  variety  of  the 
same  by  Gordon,  in  his  Pinetum ;  but  the  error  was  after- 
wards corrected  in  his  supplement.  It  is  a  native  of 
China  and  Japan,  where  it  is  known  as  the  Weeping  Cy- 
press. This  species  may  prove  hardy  with  us,  although 
we  have  no  evidence  of  its  being  tested. 

9.  C.  excelsa,  Scott. — According  to  Gordon,  this  is  "  a 
large  tree  growing  100  feet  high  on  the  mountains  of 
Santa  Cruz  de  Kachequil,  in  Guatemala,  producing  excel- 
lent timber  which  is  very  durable."     It  makes  a  beautiful 
plant  for  pot-culture,  but  is  entirely  too  tender  for  the 
open  air,  being  easily  killed  in  England. 

10.  C,  funebris,  Endlicher. — Syn.  C.  pendula,  Staunton. 
— This  magnificent  Cypress,  which  was  introduced  into  our 
collections  with  such  sanguine  expectations,  has  entirely 
disappointed  our  hopes.     It  is  one  of  Fortune's  introduc- 
tions from  the  north  of  China,  and  is  the  Weeping  or  Fu- 
nereal Cypress  of  their  gardens.     It  changes  from  an  up- 


352  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

right-growing  plant  to  a  graceful  weeping  tree,  attaining 
at  maturity  the  height  of  60  feet. 

In  Fortune's  work  on  the  tea  countries  of  China,  he 
thus  speaks  of  the  C.  funebris :  "  The  most  beautiful  tree 
found  in  this  district  is  a  species  of  Weeping  Cypress, 
which,  I  had  never  met  with  in  any  other  part  of  China, 
and  which  was  quite  new  to  me.  It  was  during  one  of 
my  daily  rambles  that  I  saw  the  first  specimen.  About 
half  a  mile  distant  from  where  I  was,  I  observed  a  noble- 
looking  Fir  tree  about  60  feet  in  height,  having  a  stem  as 
straight  as  the  Norfolk  Island  Pine,  and  weeping  branches 
like  the  Willow  of  St.  Helena.  Its  branches  grew  at  first 
at  right  angles  to  the  main  stem,  then  described  a  grace- 
ful curve  upwards,  and  bent  again  at  their  points.  From 
these  main  branches,  others,  long  and  slender,  hung  down 
perpendicularly,  and  gave  the  whole  tree  a  weeping  and 
graceful  form.  It  reminded  me  of  some  of  those  large 
and  gorgeous  chandeliers  sometimes  seen  in  theatres  and 
public  halls  in  Europe." 

11.  C,   GOYClliana,   Gordon. — Another   of   Hartweg's 
discoveries  in  Northern  California.     He  found  this  species 
growing  on  the  mountains  near  Monterey,  usually  on  the 
western  declivities,  and  near  the  sea.      Although  quite 
hardy  in  England,  our  success  with  it  has  been  poor,  but 
in  a  warmer  climate  than  our  own,  it  will  prove  a  valua- 
ble  addition    to    the   evergreen   shrubbery.      Maximum 
height  10  feet,  with  a  dense  habit. 

12,  C,  Kni£htiana,  Perry.— Syn.  C.  Lindleyi,  Klotsch  ; 
C.  Coulteri,  Forbes. — One  of  the  largest  of  the  genus, 
growing  in  favorable  situations  120  feet  in  height,  and, 
according  to  Gordon :  "  A  handsome,  vigorous  tree  with  a 
conical  head,  and  all  the  principal  young  shoots  of  a  beau- 
tiful glaucous-violet,  or  reddish-plum  color."     This  species 
has  been  considered  by  some  writers  as  a  synonym  of  C. 


THE   CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  353 

Benihami.     Gordon  says:  "The  handsomest  and  hardiest 
of  the  Mexican  kinds." 

13,  €.  Lusitanica,  Miller. — THE  CEDAK  OF  GOA. — A 
tender  Cypress,  that  has  been  known  under  some  ten  or 
twelve  synonyms.     It  is  a  very  beautiful  tree  from  Spain 
and  Portugal,  where  it  was  introduced  originally  from  the 
East  Indies.     There  is  a  variety  of  it  in  cultivation  with 
prettily  variegated  leaves. 

14,  C.  Mac-Nabiana,  Murray.— Syn.  C.  glandulosa, 
Hooker,  etc. — A  large  shrub,  growing  to  the  height  of  10 
feet,  and  found  by  the  collector  Jeffrey  in  Northern  Cali- 
fornia.    It  is  quite  hardy  in  England,  and  may  possibly 
prove  so  here.     In  fact  we  know  of  a  thrifty  young  spec- 
imen that  has  survived  the  past  three  or  four  winters. 
The  habit  of  the  plant  is  very  dense,  and  the  foliage 
glaucous  and  handsome. 

» 

15,  C,   macrocarpa,  Hartweg. — Syn.  C.  Lambertiana, 
Gordon. — In  his  Pinetum,  Gordon  remarks  of  this  spe- 
cies :  "  It  is  one  of  the  finest  Cypresses  yet  introduced,  on 
account  of  its  beautiful  bright  green  aspect,  its  great  size, 
and  hardiness.     Mr.  Hartweg  found  it  forming  a  tree  60 
feet  high,  with  a  stem  9  feet  in  circumference,  on  the 
wooded  heights  near  Monterey,  in  Upper  California,  and 
with  a  far-spreading,  branching,  flat  top,  like  a  full-grown 
Cedar  of  Lebanon,  which  it  very  much  resembles  when 
old.     It  is  hardy,  and  will  grow  in  almost  any  kind  of  soil 
which  is  not  very  poor."     We  can  unhesitatingly  add  our 
testimony  to  its  exceeding  beauty,  but  are  obliged  to  say 
it  has  not  proven  hardy  with  us.     Young  plants  known  as 
C.  macrocarpa  and  C.  Lambertiana  are  frequently  adver- 
tised by  foreign  dealers,  but  their  identity  is  now  fully  es- 
tablished. 


354:  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

16.  €•  sempervirenSj  Linnwus. — UPRIGHT  CYPRESS. — 
This  is  the  beautiful  species  so  common  along  the  Medi- 
terranean, and  especially  through  Italy  and  Turkey,  where 
it  forms  an  erect,  fastigiate  column  of  the  darkest  shade 
of  green,  and  about  50  feet  in  height.     It  reminds  one  of 
an  evergreen  Lombardy  Poplar,  but  will  not  stand  our 
climate. 

Var.  horizoiltalis.  Miller. — This  differs  from  the  species 
in  having  horizontal  branches,  and  in  its  spreading  charac- 
ter. It  is  so  different  in  appearance  as  to  lead  many  culti- 
vators to  class  it  as  a  distinct  species.  Both  this  and  the 
true  form  have  a  number  of  synonyms. 

Var.  rariegata,  Knight,  and  var,  moustrosa,  Hort., 
are  mentioned  by  Gordon;  the  one  with  variegated 
leaves,  and  the  other  with  a  Thuja-like  aspect  and  robust 
habit. 

Var.  cerciformis,  Carriere. — This  curious  and  remark- 
able variety  was  grown  at  Cognac,  France,  about  24  years 
since.  It  is  perhaps  the  most  fastigiate  Conifer  known, 
as  its  peculiarity  consists  in  having  no  side  branches,  but 
from  the  main  stem  issue  the  small  twigs,  which  impart  to 
the  plant  an  appearance  of  a  tall,  slender  green  column. 
It  very  regularly  reproduces  the  same  form  from  seed. 
The  Itevue  Horticole,  in  speaking  of  it,  says:  "This  pe- 
culiarity is  not,  as  one  might  suppose,  occasioned  by  a 
want  of  vigor,  since  some  very  vigorous  specimens  40 
feet  high  are  only  2  feet  in  diameter,  everything  included, 
of  which  size  the  stem  makes  one-third,  or  eight  inches." 

17.  C.thurifera,  Hurriboldt. — MEXICAN  WHITE  CEDAR. 
— Syn.    ChamaBcyparis   thurifera,  Endlieher ;    Juniper  us 
thurifera,  JSonpland. — A  handsome  species  of  large  size 
from  the  mountains  of  Mexico,  where  it  is  found  at  high 
elevations.     Its  scattered,  horizontal  branches  spread  out 
on  every  side  to  a  great  distance,  with  foliage  of  a  charm- 
ing glaucous-green  color.     The  strobiles  are  larger  than 


THE    CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  355 

in  C.  thyoides.     It  belongs  among  those  which  were  sep- 
arated by  Spach  under  the  name  of  Chamsecyparis. 

Gordon,  after  recognizing  it  in  his  Pinetum  as  a  dis- 
tinct species,  thus  inelegantly  and  unkindly  passes  it  over 
in  his  Supplement:  "The  kind  misnamed  Chamcecyp- 
aris  thurifera  by  one  of  our  great  botanical  advisers, 
and  so  extensively  distributed  by  lottery  or  otherwise,  is 
identical  with  the  Chinese  Arbor  Vita3  (Biota  Orientalis.)" 
Now  we  are  not  able  to  see  how  a  Chinese  Arbor  Vita3 
could  possibly  be  palmed  off  on  an  unsuspecting  public, 
especially  when  the  published  botanical  description  of  0. 
thurifera  is  so  very  different  from  that  of  the  former 
plant;  and  also,  Chinese  Arbor  Vita)s  do  not  grow  in 
Mexico. 

18,  C.  torulosa,  Don. — Although  this  is  a  remarkably 
handsome  species  and  very  desirable,  were  it  sufficiently 
hardy,  it  cannot  be  grown  in  the  Middle  States.  It  comes 
from  India,  where  specimens  have  been  measured  150  feet 
in  height.  The  timber  is  fragrant,  durable,  and  valuable ; 
and  the  whole  tree  is  especially  adapted  for  ornamental 
purposes  in  a  suitable  climate.  In  some  of  the  mountain- 
ous districts  of  India,  it  is  held  in  religious  veneration  by 
the  natives,  and  the  branchlets  and  fruit  are  considered  by 
them  as  sovereign  remedies  for  all  the  ills  that  flesh  is 
heir  to.  In  fact,  death  is  the  penalty  to  all  who  injure  this 
tree,  so  great  is  their  belief  in  its  efficacy. 

Gordon  mentions  the  following  varieties,  viz. : 

Var.  Viridis,  JETort. — With  bright,  glossy  green  leaves 
and  slender  branches. 

Var,  majestica,  Hort. — Of  a  very  robust  habit,  and 
more  hardy  than  the  species ;  and 

Var.  iiciiia,  Hort. — A  curious  dwarf  and  compact  little 
plant. 


356  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

19.  C.  Uhdeana,  Gordon. — Another  rare  and  tender 
species  from  the  mountains  of  Mexico,  where  it  forms  a 
dense,  compact  tree  about  50  feet  in  height.     It  is  very- 
beautiful,  but  only  suited  for  pot-culture  with  us,  although 
a  native  of  high  and  exposed  situations. 

20,  C.  Whitleyana,  Hort.— Syn.  C.  Roylei,  Carriere  ; 
C.   australis,  Low. — This  species  is  also  quite  tender,  and 
unknown  to  us  in  this  country.     It  is  a  native  of  the  East 
Indies,  where  it  grows  to  the  height  of  100  feet,  with  nu- 
merous, erect  branches,  and  large  cones  and  seeds. 


23.— RETINISPORA,  Siebold. 

Flowers,  monoecious,  small,  terminal,  and  on  the  same 
branch.  Sterile  aments,  cylindrical.  Fertile  aments,  soli- 
tary, with  two  ovules  at  the  base  of  each  woody,  wedge- 
shaped,  carpellary  scale.  Strobiles,  small,  ligneous,  globose, 
with  numerous  ovate  scales.  Seeds  very  resinous,  with 
resinous  vesicles  on  the  testa,  and  a  membranaceous  wing. 
Cotyledons,  2.  Leaves,  small,  linear,  bifoliate  or  trifoliate, 
spreading,  and  persistent.  Very  closely  allied  to  Cupres- 
sus,  and  possibly  not  sufficiently  distinct  for  a  separate 
classification. 

A  beautiful  genus  recently  introduced  from  Japan.  The 
size  of  the  different  species  varies  from  mere  shrubs  of  3  or 
4  feet,  to  tall  trees  100  feet  in  height.  They  are  all  very 
handsome  and  desirable,  and  are  held  in  much  esteem  by 
the  Japanese  for  ornamenting  the  grounds  around  their 
residences  and  temples. 

The  name  derives  its  origin  from  the  resinous  coating 
of  the  seeds, — "refine"  resin,  and  "spore"  seed. 

R»  Obtusa,  Siebold. — Syn.  Chamaecyparis  obtusa,  End- 
Hcher /  Thuja  Japonica,  Hort. — Leaves,  scale-formed,  ar- 
ranged in  whorls  of  four,  decussate,  obtuse,  closely  ap- 
pressed,  and  very  persistent  (for  several  years),  bright 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  357 

green  above,  and  silvery  glaucous  below.  Branches 
spreading  and  drooping.  Cones,  globular,  terminal,  soli- 
tary. Scales,  8  to  10,  ligneous,  light  brown  color,  smooth, 
with  2  winged  seeds  at  the  base  of  each. 

Without  doubt  the  most  beautiful  of  the  family ;  it  is 
found  on  the  Island  of  Nippon,  in  Japan,  where  it  forms 
a  great  portion  of  the  forest.  It  is  also  largely  cultivated, 


Fig.  56.— RETINISPORA  OBTTTSA. 

not  only  for  ornament,  but  for  the  beauty  and  excellence 
of  its  timber.  The  natives  attach  a  sacred  importance  to 
this  tree,  and  in  consequence  use  it  for  building  their 
temples.  It  forms  a  tree  from  60  to  80  feet  in  height, 
with  dense,  spreading  branches,  and  the  foliage  of  a  bril- 
liant green  color.  It  has  stood  well  in  England  the  past 
few  years,  although  with  a  slight  protection  of  mats.  In 
our  own  collection  it  has  been  satisfactory  for  three  sea- 
sons, but  loses  the  silvery  glaucousness  on  the  under  side 
of  the  leaves,  when  planted  in  the  open  ground. 


358  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

Var«  ericoideSi — Syn.  R.  ericoides,  Zuecarini  ;  Wid- 
dringtonia  ericoides,  I&iight  •  Chamaecyparis  ericoides, 
Carriere  /  Cnpressus  ericoides,  and  Juniperus  ericoides, 
of  some  authors  and  catalogues. — This  curious,  heath-like 
little  plant  is  evidently  the  primordial  form  of  the  above 
named  species  ;  the  two  bearing  the  same  relation  to  each 
other,  as  noticed  in  the  description  of  Thuja  occidentalis, 
var.  ericoides,  and  its  parent. 

It  is  the  oldest  form  of  the  genus  yet  thoroughly 
tested  in  this  country,  and  isr  among  the  very  few 
evergreen  shrubs  adapted  to  the  climate  of  the  Middle 
States.  It  is  a  native  of  Japan,  where  it  is  exten- 
sively cultivated  for  ornament,  and  very  frequently  grown 
in  pots.  It  seldom  attains  a  greater  height  than  4  feet, 
and  is  of  a  dense  habit  and  conical  form,  with  bright  green 
foliage  changing  to  a  reddish  hue  during  the  winter 
months,  and  is  occasionally  slightly  injured.  The  small, 
slender  branchlets  are  very  numerous,  and  frequently  have 
a  downward  tendency  in  the  adult  plants. 

We  have  been  exceedingly  partial  to  this  little  Conifer 
for  several  years.  It  appears  mostly  hardy  here,  but  the 
dingy  red  color  of  the  foliage  on  the  approach  of  cold 
weather  and  the  occasional  dying  out  of  the  under  branch- 
es are  against  it.  As  a  partial  remedy,  we  would  recom- 
mend covering  this  species  during  winter  with  evergreen 
branches.  Gordon  says  it  is  tolerably  hardy  in  England. 
He  also  classes  the  doubtful  little  stranger  known  in  our 
collections  as  "  Thuja  ericoides"  as  a  synonym  of  this 
species,  from  which,  however,  it  is  very  distinct. 


UNTESTED    SPECIES    OF    EETINISPORA. 

We  have  no  doubt  but  a  portion  of  the  following  list 
will  eventually  succeed  here,  although  we  have  no  means 
of  ascertaining  the  fact  at  present.  Several  are  now  test- 


THE   CTPEESS    SUB-FAMILY.  359 

ing  their  hardiness  in  the  open  air,  on  the  Hudson  and  at 
Flushing,  in  New  York,  at  Boston,  etc.,  so  that  we  shall 
soon  be  made  acquainted  with  their  characters  in  this  re- 
spect. 

Var.  aurea,  Fortune,  and  var,  argentea,  Fortune, 
are  two  prettily  variegated  forms  introduced  from  the 
Japanese  collections  in  the  neighborhood  of  Yeddo,  the 
former  marked  with  yellow,  and  the  latter  with  white. 

Var.  pygm<ca9  Gordon. — Is  known  in  some  of  the  Eng- 
lish collections  as  Thuja  pygmcea*  Yeitch.  It  is  very 
dense  and  small  in  all  its  parts,  dark  green  and  glossy,  and 
altogether  exceedingly  desirable,  according  to  foreign  au- 
thors. It  grows  from  1  to  2  feet  in  height,  spreading  hor- 
izontally in  every  direction.  Introduced  into  notice  by 
Fortune,  in  1861. 

2.  R.  squarrosa,  Siebold. — This  species  has  been  classed 
by  Lawson  with  Cupressus,  and  by  Endlicher  with  Cha- 
mcecyparis.     It  is  a  small-sized  tree,  with  graceful,  droop- 
ing branches,  and  glaucous-green  foliage.     This  pr»tty  lit- 
tle species  is  from  the  Island  of  Kiusiu,  and  the  moun- 
tains of  Sukejama.     It  scarcely  ever  exceeds  5  or  6  feet 
in  height,  but  is  unfortunately  too  tender  for  our  climate, 
as  it  will  not  succeed  in  England. 

Var.  variegata,  Siebold.—"  This  variety,"  says  Gordon, 
"differs  in  having  some  of  its  branchlets  and  leaves  of  a 
white  color,  intermixed  with  the  ordinary  green  ones  in  a 
variegated  manner." 

3.  R.  pisifera,  fiiebold. — This  is  a  small,  slender  tree 
from  the  Island  of  Nippon.     The  branchlets  and  branches 
are  exceedingly  numerous,  and  the  foliage  very  dense.   The 
cones  are  very  small,  and  consist  of  numerous,  small,  im- 
bricated scales.     We  regret  to  add  that  its  hardiness  with 
us  is  somewhat  doubtful. 


360  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

There  are  many  provisional  varieties  in  cultivation 
throughout  Japan,  founded,  however,  in  many  cases,  upon 
slight  distinctions. 

Var.  aurea,  Fortune,  and  Tar,  argentea,  Fortune.  — 
Two  ne  w  varieties  recently  introduced  into  England  by 
Fortune,  who  discovered  them  in  the  gardens  about  Yed- 
do.  They  are  quite  distinct  and  desirable. 

4.  R,  leptoclada,  Zuccarini.  —  Syn.  R.  squarrosa  lepto- 
clada,  Siebold.  —  This'is  a  large  bush  from  3  to  6  feet  high, 
growing  on  the  mountains  of  Japan,  and  cultivated  fre- 
quently in  the  gardens  around  Yeddo.  It  is  quite  hardy 
in  England,  and  may  possibly  prove  so  in  this  country. 
The  foliage  is  of  a  bright  glaucous-green  color,  and  imbri- 
cated on  numerous  small  branchlets,  forming  a  dense,  com- 
pact mass. 


5.  R,  lycopodioideSj/Sitaftcfo'sA.  —  A  new  species  (?)  but 
recently  brought  to  notice  by  Japanese  collectors,  and  rep- 
resented as  remarkably  elegant  and  graceful.  The  leaves 
are  very  attractive  in  appearance,  resembling  small,  dark 
green  scales,  and  the  branches  spreading  somewhat  like 
H.  obtusa.  It  was  found  in  the  gardens  at  Yeddo,  in  Ja- 
pan, by  Fortune. 


24.— CRYPTOMERIA,    Don. 

Flowers  monoecious.  Sterile  aments,  terminal,  cluster- 
ed and  very  numerous.  Fertile  aments,  terminal,  cluster- 
ed, or  solitary,  sessile.  Strobiles,  spherical,  clustered  or 
solitary ;  with  numerous,  loose,  wedge-shaped  scales,  and 
from  3  to  5  seeds  at  the  base  of  each  carpellary  scale. 
Cotyledons,  2,  3,  or  4. 


THE   CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  36l 

This  fine  plant  (for  there  is  but  one  species)  is  from 
China  and  Japan.  The  name  is  derived  from  "Jcruptos" 
hidden,  and  "meris"  a  part.  It  has  soft,  white  wood, 
and  is  especially  adapted  for  cabinet-makers'  work. 

C.  Japonic  a.  Don. — JAPAN  CEDAK. — Leaves,  from  J  to 
f-  of  an  inch  in  length,  sessile,  smooth,  falcate,  quadrangu- 
lar, sharp-pointed,  bright  green  color.  Branches,  spread- 
ing, mostly  horizontal,  with  numerous  branchlets.  Cones, 
%  to  f  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  globular,  mostly  clustered, 
erect,  sessile ;  with  numerous,  loose  scales.  Seeds,  gener- 
ally obovate,  with  a  dry,  brittle  testa. 

This  tree  belongs  to  the  uncertain  class  of  Conifers  so 

O 

perplexing  and  unsatisfactory  throughout  the  Middle 
States.  When  a  tree  dies  outright  from  the  effect  of  our 
severe  winters,  our  regret  is  allayed  by  a  consciousness 
that  it  is  useless  to  plant  it.  Not  so,  however,  with  many 
of  the  class  of  which  the  Cryptoineria  is  a  fair  represent- 
ative. We  have  frequently  seen  specimens  thrive  appar- 
ently with  perfect  success  for  a  few  years,  when  perhaps 
an  unusually  strong  and  imperfectly  ripened  growth  would 
be  overtaken  by  the  frosts  of  autumn,  and  the  tree  conse- 
quently be  disfigured  beyond  all  redemption.  Or  proba- 
bly the  leading  shoot  alone  is  injured,  and  the  zealous 
owner  after  encouraging  a  new  upright  branch,  congratu- 
lates himself  that  the  plant  is  now  acclimated  and  all 
danger  past ;  but  if  the  mercury  falls  to  zero  after  a  warm 
spell  of  weather,  the  new  shoot  follows  in  the  way  of  its 
predecessor. 

Such  disappointments  as  these  are  of  no  rare  occurrence, 
but  almost  every  cultivator  has  experienced  them.  Fre- 
quently throughout  our  work  have  we  called  attention  to 
the  only  remedy,  of  sandy  subsoils  and  an  unstimulating 
surface  soil,  to  grow  these  plants  with  any  chance  of  suc- 
cess ;  and  if  this  oft-repeated  caution  be  disregarded  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  Japan  Cedar,  failure  will  certainly 
ensue. 

16 


THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

This  tree  generally  grows  about  50  or  60  feet  in  height, 
but    according    to    Siebold,  Fortune,  and  others,  it    is 


Fig.  57.— CRYPTOMERIA  JAPONICA. 

frequently  found  100  feet  high.  It  is  a  native  of  China 
and  Japan,  and,  contrary  to  the  general  principle  of  the 
American  people  with  their  native  trees,  this  species  is  ex- 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  363 

tensively  cultivated  by  the  inhabitants  of  those  countries. 

In  favorable  situations  at  Baltimore  and  Washington, 
this  species  proves  a  perfect  success;  and  even  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Philadelphia  w£  occasionally  find  excel- 
lent specimens,  although  many  of  them  present  a  rather 
open  and  straggling  appearance.  To  prevent  this  un- 
sightly character,  we  would  suggest  to  planters  that  no 
tree  is  more  benefited  by  a  severe  clipping  of  the  side 
branches  than  this. 

In  the  year  1844,  Fortune  first  introduced  it  into  Eng- 
land, and  his  account  of  it  in  a  wild  state  is  exceedingly 
interesting.  The  timber  is  not  unlike  that  of  our  White 
Pine,  and  is  held  in  great  esteem  by  the  Japanese,  espe- 
cially for  the  manufacture  of  cabinet-ware. 

Van  Loblrii,  Hort. — Syn.  var.  viridis,  Sort. — This  dis- 
tinct form  has  very  pretty,  pale  green  foliage.  A  speci- 
men in  our  own  collection  has  appeared  more  hardy  than 
the  species. 

Var.  |M'H<luln,  Leroy. — A  variety  with  drooping  branch- 
lets,  but  scarcely  distinct  from  the  usual  form. 

Var.  liana,  Fortune. — Syn.  var.  pygma3a,  London. — 
Extensively  grown  by  the  Chinese ;  it  is  a  curious  stunt- 
ed, dense  dwarf,  probably  growing  about  3  feet  high. 

Var.  araucarioides,  Hort.— This  variety  differs  very 
little  from  the  species,  and  is  probably  not  worthy  of  per- 
petuation. 


25.— TAXOmtJJJI,   Richard. 

Flowers  monoacious,  on  the  same  branch.  Sterile  aments 
in  a  long  spiked  panicle,  drooping,  with  few  stamens ;  fila- 
ments scale-like,  bearing  from  2  to  5  anther-cells,  that  open 
lengthwise.  Fertile  aments  oval,  or  ovoid,  clustered,  sea-. 


364  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

sile,  with  2  ovules  at  the  base  of  each  peltate  scale. 
Cones,  globular  or  globose,  with  angular,  woody,  thick, 
shield-shaped  scales.  Leaves  deciduous  and  distichous. 

The  Taxodium  proper  is  now  restricted  to  one  species, 
with  numerous  varieties  and  forms.  Brongniart  records 
a  new  species  found  in  this  country,  but  its  existence  is 
much  doubted,  owing  to  the  inclination  of  this  tree  to  as- 
sume different  forms. 

The  name  is  derived  from  two  Greek  words  signifying 
Tew,  and  resembling.  In  regard  to  its  early  botanical 
history,  Loudon  records  the  following  notes:  "Parkinson, 
in  1640,  expresses  his  doubts  that  this  tree  was  not  '  a 
true  cipresse,'  and  suggests  that  it  must  have  been  called 
so  from  the  fragrance  of  the  wood.  It  was,  however, 
classed  by  Linna3us  and  all  succeeding  botanists  as  a  Cu- 
pressus,  until  M.  Richard,  in  the  '  Annales  du  MuseeJ 
torn.  XYI.  p.  269,  constituted  it  a  genus  under  the  name 
of  Taxodium,  which  name  was  applied  from  the  leaves 
being  disposed  in  the  same  manner  as  those  of  the  Yew. 
Two  years  afterwards  M.  Mirbel  and  M.  Schubert  describ- 
ed it  as  a  separate  genus  under  the  name  of  Schubertia  / 
but  the  name  of  Taxodium,  having  been  applied  first  and 
accompanied  by  a  scientific  description,  necessarily  takes 
precedence." 

T.  distichum,  'Richard. — DECIDUOUS  CYPRESS.  BALD 
CYPRESS. — Syn.  Cupressus  disticha,  L. — Leaves  from  %  to 
f-  of  an  inch  long,  linear,  acute,  distichous,  flat,  alternate 
or  opposite,  occasionally  in  whorls.  Branches,  stout, 
horizontal,  slightly  incurved  at  the  extremities,  with  nu- 
merous slender  branchlets.  Cones  from  f  to  1  inch  in  di- 
ameter, spherical,  closed,  hard,  and  uneven ;  with  shield- 
shaped,  woody,  thick  scales.  Seeds,  small,  ligneous,  with 
narrow  wings.  Cotyledons,  2  to  3. 

The  Deciduous  Cypress,  although  strictly  a  southern, 
tree,  thrives  admirably  in  the  climate  of  the  Middle 
States.  Its  most  northern  natural  limits  are  the  Cypress 


THE   CYPBESS   SUB-FAMILY. 


365 


.  58. — TAXODIUM  DISTICHUM. 


366  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

Swamps  of  Maryland,  and  the  extreme  southern  part  of' 
Delaware.  Throughout  almost  every  portion  of  the  South- 
ern  States  this  tree  is  found  in  the  low,  miasmatic 
swamps,  and  occasionally  very  plentifully,  especially 
along  the  borders  of  the  rivers  and  larger  streams. 
Indeed,  in  the  Gulf  States  these  Cypress  Swamps  cover 
thousands  of  acres,  and  along  the  Mississippi  River  partic- 
ularly they  extend  for  hundreds  of  miles.  In  Florida  and 
Georgia  the  tree  is  exceedingly  plentiful,  and  borders  the 
rivers  with  an  almost  impenetrable  mass  of  foliage. 

In  the  rich  alluvial  bottoms  this  tree  often  grows  to  the 
height  of  120  feet,  forming  an  immense  base,  double  the 
diameter  of  the  body  of  the  tree. 

The  roots  often  form  large,  conical  excrescences  or 
knobs,  which  rise  above  the -surface  of  the  soil,  and  are 
always  hollow.  These  are  usually  known  as  "  Cypress- 
knees,"  and  are  frequently  used  for  bee-hives  and  other 
purposes.  The  cause  of  these  knobs  is  obscure ;  no  ap- 
parent function  for  which  they  are  adapted  has  been  ascer- 
tained, but  after  the  tree  has  arrived  at  the  height  of  20 
or  25  feet,  these  curious  appendages  commence  to  appear, 
and  more  particularly  in  marshy  ground. 

The  beautiful  foliage  of  this  species,  as  well  as  its  pecu- 
liar conical  or  almost  fastigiate  form,  justly  entitles  it  to  a 
front  rank  in  the  list  of  ornamental  trees  ;  and  notwith- 
standing we  occasionally  find  healthy,  vigorous  plants 
growing  on  high,  dry  situations,  we  would  prefer  a  moist 
soil  for  its  successful  cultivation.  For  particular  situations 
the  lofty,  spiral  top  of  this  Cypress  looms  up  above  the 
surrounding  foliage  with  a  very  agreeable  effect.  In  the 
case  of  old  trees  they  frequently  change  their  form  and 
assume  a  tabular  shape,  as  is  instanced  in  the  Cedar  of 
Lebanon.  It  was  introduced  into  England  prior  to  the 
year  1640,  where  it  succeeds  very  satisfactorily. 

The  many  distinct  forms  which  it  so  frequently  assumes 
have  given  rise  to  quite  a  multiplicity  of  names,  trees 


THE    CYPKESS   SUB-FAMILY.  367 

with  lighter  colored  wood  being  designated  as  the  White 
Cypress,  whilst  the  darker  hued  varieties  are  known  as 
the  Black  Cypress.  It  is  also  called  the  Southern  States 
Cypress. 

The  timber  of  the  T.  distichum  is,  without  doubt,  of  in- 
estimable value,  being  fine-grained,  soft,  very  elastic, 
strong,  and  exceedingly  durable.  This  last  quality  is  per- 
haps unequalled  by  the  timber  of  any  other  tree,  and  it  is 
admirably  adapted  for  use  where  it  will  be  exposed  to  the 
weather.  But  either  from  a  scarcity  of  the  article  or  dif- 
ficulty in  obtaining  it,  the  Cypress  shingles  and  other 
forms  of  this  lumber  are  now  quite  scarce,  and  rarely  seen 
in  our  Northern  markets. 

Many  of  the  varieties  are  mere  sports,  whilst  others 
perpetuate  their  distinctions  when  grown  from  seed.  The 
most  prominent  among  the  latter  class  is 

Var«  Mexicanum,  Gordon.  —  It  is  known  by  seven  or 
eight  different  synonyms.  Specimens  of  this  variety  are 
growing  in  Mexico,  which  are  of  immense  size  and  great 
age,  especially  the  celebrated  "  Cypress  of  Montezuma" 
at  Chapultepec,  that  measures  about  100  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence. This  variety  differs  from  the  species  in  the  leaves 
being  very  persistent  and  slender,  with  the  long  branches 
broadly  spreading.  The  strobiles  are  larger,  and  the  scales 
armed  with  a  stout,  acute  point.  This  tree  is  entirely  too 
tender  for  our  climate. 

Var.  fastigiatum,  Knight.  —  This  variety  forms  a  remark- 
ably fastigiate  tree,  with  short  and  erect  branches.  It  is 
a  native  of  our  extreme  Southern  States,  particularly  in 
Florida,  where  it  forms  a  small-sized  specimen. 


i  denildatnm,  Leroy's  Catalogue.  —  This  differs  from 
the  species  in  having  long,  slender,  drooping  branches,  and 
with  the  leaves  scattered  and  of  unequal  size.  It  origi- 
nated in  Leroy's  Nursery,  at  Angers,  France. 


368  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

Var.  nanum,  Carriere. — Another  of  those  chance  kinds 
from  one  of  the  French  nurseries,  and  is  very  small  in  all 
its  parts,  resembling  the  species  in  miniature.  It  grows 
but  10  or  12  feet  in  height. 


26.— GI.YPTOSTROBUS,   EndlicJi&r. 

Flowers,  monoecious,  the  two  sexes  on  separate  branch- 
es, and  resembling  Taxodium.  Cones  oval  or  ovate. 
Ovules  2,  under  each  carpellary  scale.  Scales  coriaceous, 
with  the  pedicels  arising  from  the  same  point  on  the  axis. 
Leaves,  generally  triquetrous,  and  scattered  more  or  less 
irregularly  around  the  branches. 

Glyptostrobus  is  one  of  the  newer  genera,  and  one  that 
we  are  much  inclined  to  receive  with  distrust,  as  it  is  quite 
too  closely  allied  to  Taxodium.  Time  and  further  inves- 
tigation will  determine  its  right  to  the  distinction,  and  as 
there  is  considerable  difference  of  opinion  on  the  subject 
at  present,  we  have  accordingly  adopted  Endlicher's  name, 
although  disagreeing  with  Gordon  in  the  classification  of 
Gr.  pendulus. 

Endlicher  has  created  the  name  from  the  handsome  sur- 
face of  the  strobiles,  presenting  a  curious  embossed  appear- 
ance, which  is  not  of  so  marked  a  character  in  the  Taxo- 
dium. It  is  derived  from  glypho,  embossed,  and  strobus, 
a  strobile  or  cone. 

This  genus  is  composed  of  two  species,  both  natives  of 
China,  and  equally  beautiful. 

1.  G,  heterophyllllS,  Endlicher. — Syn.  Taxodium  nu- 
ciferum,  Brongniart. — T.  Japonicum,  Denhardt,  etc. 
Leaves,  from  3  to  8  lines  long,  very  variable  in  shape 
and  position,  from  ovate,  obtuse,  to  scale-formed,  acute, 
appressed  and  imbricated,  or  spreading  and  recurved, 
somewhat  bifarious,  or  scattered  around  the  shoots,  alter- 


THE   CYPRESS   SUB-FAMILY.  369 

nate,  glaucous-green  color.  Branches  ascending,  and  re- 
curved at  the  extremities.  Cones  small,  ovate  or  cylindri- 
cal ;  scales  unequal  in  size,  imbricated,  shield-form,  with  a 
recurved,  obtuse  point  arising  from  near  the  edge  of  each. 

We  are  sorry  to  be  obliged  to  report  this  species  quite 
doubtful  in  regard  to  hardiness ;  but  even  in  the  less  vari- 
able climate  of  England,  it  is  only  "tolerably  hardy." 
Like  most  of  the  genus  it  prefers  low,  moist  grounds,  and 
in  the  wet  soils  of  the  rice  countries  of  China,  it  flourishes 
in  perfection.  The  natives  place  it  around  their  planta- 
tions, especially  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kiang-non  and 
Shang-tun,  where  it  is  known  as  the  Then- Tseng,  or  Wa- 
ter Pine,  in  allusion  to  its  favorite  haunts. 

Although  but  a  large  shrub  of  8  or  10  feet  in  height, 
the  shape  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  larger  growing  kinds, 
being  a  perfect  cone.  The  branches  have  an  upright  ten- 
dency, and  are  very  numerous,  stout,  and  abundantly 
clothed  with  leaves. 

2.  G.  pendulus,  Endlicher.  —  WEEPIXG  DECIDUOUS 
CYPRESS. — Syn.  Taxodium  Sinense,  Noisette  /  T.  distichum 
pendulum,  and  Sinense,  Loudon ;  T.  Sinense  pen- 
dulum, Forbes. — Leaves,  from  3  to  6  lines  long,  linear, 
acute,  sessile,  compressed  when  young,  but  spreading  at 
maturity,  light  green  color.  Branches,  horizontal,  with 
numerous  drooping  branchlets.  Cones,  small,  ovate ;  with 
shield-shaped  scales,  having  acute  points  on  the  summit 
of  each.  Seeds  winged. 

The  confusion  arising  from  the  many  names  applied  to 
this  species  is  on  account  of  its  close  approximation  to 
each  of  the  allied  genera,  Glyptostrobus  and  Taxodium. 
We  believe,  however,  that  as  the  former  genus  has  been 
recognized,  this  plant  should  claim  a  position  in  it.  We 
can  confidently  pronounce  it  the  most  beautiful  of  all  de- 
ciduous Conifers,  entirely  hardy,  and  unexceptionable  in 
every  way. 

This  species  is  from  the  colder  portions  of  China  and 
Japan,  where  it  frequents  the  damp  soils  of  the  low  coun- 
16* 


370 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVEKGEEENS. 


tries,  and  forms  a  perfectly  conical-shaped  tree  from  15  to 
20  feet  in  height.  An  experience  of  about  15  years  with 
this  Cypress  has  been  so  entirely  satisfactory  that  we  feel 
willing  to  recommend  it  to  every  one  as  an  available  or- 


5(J  —  GLYPTOSTHOBUS   PENDULTJS. 


namental  tree;  and  notwithstanding  Gordon  says  the 
young  shoots  are  frequently  killed  by  the  cold  in  England, 
we  are  pleased  to  record  their  perfect  hardiness  in  the 
Middle  States.  In  Sargent's  edition  of  Downing's  Land- 
scape Gardening,  it  is  mentioned  as  entirely  hardy  at 
Wodenethe,  and  is  mentioned  by  Sargent  as  "  one  of  the 
most  graceful  and  exquisite  little  trees  which  will  survive 
the  rigor  of  our  northern  winters."  A  splendid  specimen 


THE    CYPRESS    SUB-FAMILY.  371 

in  the  Evans  collection  is  of  nearly  the  maximum  size,  and 
is  a  perfect  model  of  excellence. 

The  Weeping  Deciduous  Cypress  derives  it  name  from 
the  drooping  tendency  of  the  branchlets.  These  are  placed 
alternately  on  the  stout  horizontal  branches,  and  are  ex- 
ceedingly numerous  and  well  furnished  with  foliage. 
Their  gracefulness,  added  to  the  charming  color  of  the 
leaves  during  the  summer,  is  the  attractive  feature  of  the 
tree.  During  the  autumn  months,  the  verdure  changes  to 
a  pale  yellow  hue,  and  afterward  to  a  bright  orange-red. 
This  species  has  been  considered  as  a  variety  of  Taxo- 
dium  distichum,  but  the  formation  of  the  leaves  is  so  very 
distinct  as  to  enable  the  observer  to  distinguish  them  at 
once.  The  foliage  of  the  former  is  always  imperfectly 
two-rowed,  and  more  or  less  appressed ;  whilst  that 
of  the  latter  is  always  two-rowed  and  spreading. 
A  plant  of  this  species  flowered  last  season 
at  Kew,  England,  and  resembled  the  Taxodium 
distichum,  in  having  pendulous  spikes  of  male 
aments,  with  one  or  two  female  cones  at  the 
base  of  the  spike.  It  sheds  its  ultimate  branches 
annually,  but  it  differs  in  the  foliage  not  being 
distichous,  in  the  scales  of  the  cone  not  being 
peltate,  but  arising  from  one  point  at  the  base  of 
the  cone,  and  in  the  winged  seeds.  The  stem, 
branches,  and  foliage,  are  also  very  dissimilar,  but 
these  are  so  liable  to  sport  that  no  dependence 
can  be  placed  upon  them  when  forming  true 
botanical  distinctions.  A  branch  one-third  the 
natural  size  is  shown  in  figure  59,  and  figure  60  gives 
the  leaves  of  the  real  size. 


CHAPTER    XII. 


;  THE    YEW    SUB-FAMILY— TAXI1VEJE, 

Figure  61  gives  a  branch  of  the  American  variety  of 
Taxus  baccata^  with  magnified  flowers  and  fruit,  to 
illustrate  the  leading  characters  of  this  sub-family,  which 
are  sufficiently  described  on  pages  14  and  73.  An  en- 
larged staminate  ament  is  shown  at  a.  The  pistillate 
ament,  £,  consists  of  a  naked  ovule  in  a  cup-shaped  disk, 
and  surrounded  by  scales ;  this  is  better  seen  in  the  sec- 
tion, c.  After  fertilization,  both  the  seed  and  disk  increase 
in  size,  the  latter  becoming  pulpy,  and  at  maturity  con- 
cealing the  seed ;  d  and  e  show  the  fruit  in  different 
stages  of  growth.  The  mature  fruit  is  given  at  f  entire, 
and  at  g  in  section. 

ST.— TAXUS,    Tournefort.— YEW. 

Flowers  usually  dioecious  and  axillary.  Sterile  aments, 
small,  globular,  few-flowered.  Anther  cells,  3  to  6  or  8, 
inserted  in  clusters  under  the  peltate  scale.  Fertile  flow- 
ers, scaly-bracted,  solitary,  with  a  single  naked  ovule 
placed  upright  in  the  cup-shaped  disk;  the  latter  becom- 
ing berry-like,  viscous,  and  pulpy  in  fruit,  almost  surround- 
ing the  nut-like  seed.  Leaves  usually  linear,  rigid,  decur- 
rent,  and  mostly  distichous.  Cotyledons,  2. 

The  Yew  has  been  known  and  appreciated  for  ages,  and 
is  yet  one  of  the  most  esteemed  evergreen  trees.  Al- 
though growing  very  slowly,  it  possesses  a  peculiar  tint 
in  the  color  of  its  foliage,  so  far  unapproached  by  any 
other  genus  of  plants ;  it  is  especially  admired  for  its 
372 


THE    YEW   SUB-FAMILY. 


373 


Fig.  61.— TAXUS  BACCATA,  VAB.   CANADENSIS. 


374  THE   BOOK   OF   EVERGREENS. 

appropriateness  in  cemeteries,  and  for  producing  certain 
effects  in  gardening  for  which  its  sombreness  particularly 
fits  it. 

The  Yew  is  preferable  to  all  other  Conifers  for  cemetery 
planting.  There  is  a  peculiar  richness  in  the  dark  glossy 
foliage,  and  a  certain  stiff  formality  in  the  growth  that 
please  our  taste  for  this  particular  purpose.  Meehan,  in 
his  Hand-book,  thus  speaks  of  the  Yew :  "  Opinion  is  di- 
vided in  regard  to  the  merits  of  this  tree  in  ornamental 
gardening.  Some  deem  that  its  long  association  with  the 
English  churchyards  and  cemeteries  suggests  ideas  too 
funereal  for  the  life-enjoying  pleasures  of  a  garden.  Oth- 
ers look  on  the  well-known  degree  of  abuse  it  will  submit 
to  as  a  subject  of  pleasing  reflection,  suggestive  of  the  vic- 
torious nature  of  meek,  uncomplaining,  persevering  effort 
in  overcoming  all  obstacles.  But  for  the  once  setting 
aside  both  poetry  and  association,  our  collections  are  too 
scarce  of  evergreens  to  allow  us  to  dispense  with  one, 
and  for  my  part  I  admire  the  Yew." 

The  late  A.  J.  Downing,  in  his  usual  pleasing  style, 
speaks  of  it  thus:  "For  the  decoration  of  places  of 
burial  it  is  well  adapted,  from  the  deep  and  perpetual  ver- 
dure of  its  foliage,  which,  conjointly  with  its  great  lon- 
gevity, may  be  considered  as  emblematical  of  immortality." 

The  allied  genera  of  Taxus,  Torreya,  Cephalotaxus, 
Podocarpus,  etc.,  differ  but  little  in  the  general  appearance 
of  the  leaves,  and  are  therefore  scarcely  to  be  distinguish- 
ed, excepting  when  in  fruit.  The  Yews  are  proverbially 
long-lived,  and  instances  are  given  where  they  have  existed 
for  centuries,  growing,  says  Loudon,  until  they  arrive  at 
the  age  of  100  years,  and  then  remaining  stationary. 

The  Yews  are  indigenous  in  the  milder  climates  of 
Europe,  Asia,  and  the  United  States.  The  name  is  prob. 
ably  derived  from  the  classical  title  of  "  toxon"  a  bow, 
in  allusion  to  the  wood  of  this  genus  being  used  for  mak- 
ing bows.  Other  authorities  suggest  the  derivation  to  be 


THE    YEW   SUB-FAMILY.  375 

from  " taxis"  meaning  arrangement,  owing  to  the  regular 
system  of  the  leaves,  being  placed  upon  the  branchlets. 
And  again,  the  word  "  toxicum"  poison,  has  been  given, 
as  the  Yew  has  been  considered  poisonous  by  many. 

1.  T.  adpressa,  JTnight. — Syn.  T.  baccata  adpressa, 
Carriere  ;  T.  tardiva,  Lawson  ;  Cephalotaxus  tardiva  ad- 
pressa, Siebold,  etc. — Leaves,  small,  oval  or  elliptical,  gen- 
erally mucronate,  decurrent,  distichous  with  short  pedun- 
cles, excepting  on  the  young  shoots,  dark  shining  green 
color.  Branches,  numerous,  spreading,  with  numerous, 
short,  slender  branchlets.  Seed  surrounded  by  a  globular 
or  oblong,  very  glutinous,  fleshy,  pale  pink  disk;  seed, 
nut-like,  standing  erect,  quite  prominent  above  the  disk. 

Our  own  specimens  of  this  species  having  fruited  for 
two  or  three  years  past,  we  are  able  to  state  positively  that 
it  is  a  well-defined  Taxus,  although  many  writers  on  the 
subject  have  thought  otherwise.  Carriere,  in  the  Revue 
Horticole  a  few  years  since,  contended  that  it  was  a  Taxus 
on  account  of  its  apparent  affinity  to  the  Yew  stock  in 
grafting,  but  suggested  that  it  was  a  form  of  Taxus  bac- 
cata. 

It  is  a  native  of  Japan,  and  was  introduced,  we  believe,  by 
Siebold,  who  stated  that  it  grows  plentifully  on  the  moun- 
tains, and  scarcely  ever  exceeds  three  feet  in  height.  It  is 
certainly  one  of  the  most  attractive,  hardy,  and  desirable 
species,  and  with  an  experience  of  many  years  we  can  rec- 
ommend it  to  all  our  planters.  In  form  it  is  somewhat 
similar  to  our  native  Yew,  growing  mostly  with  the  same 
spreading  habit,  and  with  numerous  slender  branchlets 
densely  clothed  with  foliage.  The  leaves  are  quite  cu- 
riously shaped,  and  differ  in  this  respect  from  the  other 
species,  being  more  or  less  oval  instead  of  linear. 

This  charming  shrub  has  many  excellencies  to  recom- 
mend it  for  groups  and  masses,  as  well  as  for  planting 
singly  on  the  lawn.  It  is  a  healthy  and  luxuriant  grower 
after  becoming  well  established,  and  gives  universal  satis- 


376  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

faction  for  cemetery  planting.  In  this  latter  position  we 
consider  it  far  superior  to  the  other  species,  as  it  almost 
invariably  retains  its  dark  glossy  color  without  protection, 
and  is  of  a  small  and  compact  form,  which  enables  it  to  be 
used  for  ornamenting  small  lots  where  the  larger  species 
would  be  out  of  place.  It  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  in- 
crease by  means  of  cuttings,  but  will  readily  unite  with 
the  common  Yew  by  grafting. 

2.  T«  baccata9  Linnceus. — ENGLISH  YEW. — Leaves, 
about  1  inch  long,  linear,  numerous,  mostly  distichous, 
straight  or  slightly  falcate,  occasionally  scattered  thickly 
around  the  leading  shoots,  acute,  dark  glossy  green. 
Branches,  numerous  and  spreading,  with  slender,  drooping 
branchlets.  Fruit  consists  of  a  globular,  fleshy,  red  disk, 
nearly  surrounding  a  nut-like  seed. 

This  well-known  species  is  found  growing  in  most  of 
the  countries  of  Europe,  generally  on  the  mountains  at 
different  elevations.  Its  usual  height  is  from  25  to  40  feet, 
but  it  often  attains  a  still  greater  size ;  in  this  country  it 
forms  a  large-sized  shrub.  Its  utility  with  us  may  well 
be  questioned,  as  plants  frequently  become  injured  beyond 
redemption  after  having  survived  several  winters.  In 
suitable  spots  they  will  thrive  satisfactorily  for  several 
years,  although  occasionally  suffering  from  the  frost,  which 
destroys  the  imperfectly  ripened  young  wood. 

In  planting  this  tree,  care  should  be  taken  to  select  a 
shaded  location,  such  as  the  north  side  of  a  building,  or 
under  the  protecting  branches  of  other  trees ;  and  where 
it  is  planted  in  an  exposed  situation,  we  have  found  great 
advantage  to  be  derived  from  covering  the  plant  loosely 
with  evergreen  boughs.  The  object  is  to  protect  the  plant 
from  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun ;  by  this  means  we  man- 
age to  have  all  the  Yews  of  as  fine  a  color  when  spring 
returns,  as  they  presented  during  the  preceding  autumn. 
Care  must  in  every  instance  be  taken  that  the  covering  be 


THE    YEW    SUB-FAMILY.  377 

not  too  tight,  or  the  remedy  will  prove  far  worse  than  the 
evil  itself. 

The  usual  form  of  the  English  Yew  in  this  country  is  a 
large  bush  with  numerous  ascending  or  slightly  spreading 
branches,  clothed  with  fine,  dark-colored  foliage.  During 
the  rage  for  clipping  trees  into  grotesque  forms,  this  spe- 
cies was  probably  used  for  that  purpose  in  preference  to 
any  other ;  but  we  sincerely  trust  that  such  a  preverted 
taste  will  never  again  be  introduced  into  our  gardens,  to 
destroy  the  beautiful  outlines  that  Nature  has  bestowed 
upon  our  trees. 

In  speaking  of  the  longevity  of  the  English  Yew,  Nut- 
tall  quotes  several  instances  of  its  great  age.  He  says  : 
"The  antiquity  of  the  Yew  is  as  surprising  as  any  other 
of  its  properties.  Mirbel  counted  in  a  slice  of  Yew,  20 
inches  in  diameter,  280  annual  layers,  and  Mr.  Pennant 
mentions  a  Yew  in  Fortingal  churchyard,  in  the  High- 
lands of  Scotland,  whose  ruins  measured  56^  feet  in  cir- 
cumference, and  was  in  all  probability  a  flourishing  tree 
at  the  commencement  of  the  Christian  Era."  According 
to  Loudon,  "  the  largest  tree  of  this  kind  in  England  is  in 
Harlington  churchyard,  near  Hounslow,  which,  is  58  feet 
high,  with  a  trunk  of  9  feet,  and  a  head  of  50  feet  in  diam- 
eter. The  oldest  are  at  Fountain's  Abbey,  where  they 
are  supposed  to  have  been  large  trees  at  the  time  the 
Abbey  was  founded,  in  1132.  The  trunk  of  one  of  them 
is  26  feet  6  inches  in  circumference,  at  3  feet  from  the 
ground.  The  Aukerwyke  Yew,  near  Staines,  is  supposed 
to  be  upwards  of  1000  years  old." 

The  wood  of  the  Yew  is  exceedingly  heavy,  remarkably 
elastic,  durable,  and  fine-grained ;  thus  combining  all  the 
requisites  that  are  sought  for  in  valuable  timber.  The 
heart-wood  is  very  beautiful,  being  of  a  lively  red  color, 
while  the  sap  or  outer  wood  is  pure  white,  and  both  are 
readily  polished.  In  durability  it  cannot  be  excelled,  as 
instances  are  known  where  carvings  of  this  wood  are  at 


378  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

least  500  years  old,  and  entirely  sound  and  free  from  any 
attacks  of  insects,  or  defects.  In  fact,  insects  never  attack 
the  Yew,  either  in  a  growing  state  or  as  lumber. 

Like  our  Red  Cedar,  this  species  has  sported  into  a 
number  of  forms  and  colors,  thus  engendering  a  long  list 
of  varieties,  which  are  eagerly  propagated  and  sent  out  by 
the  European  nurserymen ;  and  in  many  cases,  we  regret 
to  add,  with  such  a  very  small  amount  of  distinction  as  to 
require  close  scrutiny  to  detect  the  difference.  Having 
tested  a  large  number  of  these  varieties,  and  found  so  few 
of  them  to  be  worthy  of  perpetuation,  we  feel  it  our  duty 
to  caution  our  readers  against  this  system  of  producing 
novelties  at  the  expense  of  a  too  confiding  public. 

Var.  Canadensis,  Gray. — AMERICAN  YEW. — This  is 
perhaps  one  of  the  most  distinct  and  valuable  varieties  in 
the  list,  and  was  for  a  long  time  considered  a  species,  al- 
though Loudon  placed  it  as  a  variety  in  his  "Arboretum." 
Gordon  still  adheres  to  a  specific  classification,  but  Prof. 
Gray,  in  his  Manual  of  Botany,  reduces  it  to  a  variety  of 
T.  baccata.  It  is  also  known  as  the  Taxus procumbens  of 
Loddiges.  The  American  Yew  is  called  in  some  sections 
the  Ground  Hemlock,  and  is  found  on  the  moist  and 
shaded  sides  of  hills,  throughout  the  northern  portions  of 
the  United  States  and  Canada.  Figured  on  page  373. 

It  presents  in  a  wild  state  a  straggling  or  spreading 
shrub,  rarely  exceeding  3  or  4  feet  in  height ;  but  under 
cultivation  it  assumes  a  more  even  form,  and  attains  a 
larger  size.  It  can  be  pruned  into  any  shape  desired,  but 
the  most  handsome  and  appropriate  is  the  globular  form. 
This  fine  dwarf  Conifer  is  very  hardy,  but  changes  to  a 
dingy  hue  during  the  winter  months. 

Tar(  fastigiata,  London. — UPRIGHT  IRISH  YEW. — This 
is  also  a  very  distinct  variety,  and  well  worthy  of  cultiva- 
tion wherever  it  succeeds.  The  branches  are  all  remark- 
ably fastigiate,  and  the  foliage,  which  is  scattered  round  the 


THE   YEW   SUB-FAMILY.  379 

branches,  is  of  the  darkest  and  most  sombre  hue.  The 
fruit  is  oblong  instead  of  globular,  as  in  the  species.  This 
form  of  the  Irish  Yew  will  generally  give  satisfaction  as 
far  north  as  Philadelphia,  if  properly  protected  during  the 
winter,  and  we  have  seen  excellent  specimens,  8  or  10  feet 
high,  that  were  growing  on  the  north  side  of  a  house 
without  any  artificial  protection  whatever.  In  England 
it  is  quite  hardy  and  remarkably  beautiful.  London  al- 
ludes to  a  fine  specimen  growing  at  Comber,  in  the  County 
of  Down,  and  near  the  town  of  Antrim,  which  was  21  feet 
high,  and  which  was  supposed  to  have  been  planted  pre- 
vious to  the  year  1780.  The  same  author  also  alludes  to 
two  trees,  growing  at  Nether  Place,  near  Mauchline,  Ayr- 
shire, the  largest  of  which  was  22  feet  6  inches  high,  and 
the  smaller,  20  feet  8  inches. 

A  very  beautiful  form  of  this  variety  has  variegated 
foliage  and  is  described  as  producing  a,  handsome  effect. 
It  is  known  as  var.  fastigiata  variegata,  of  Carriere. 

Var,  Hibernica,  Hort. — SPREADING  IRISH  YEW. — We 
received  this  fine  variety  a  few  years  ago  from  John  Evans,  of 
Radnor,  Pa.,  who  obtained  it,  if  we  mistake  not,  from  the 
Kew  Gardens.  Not  having  seen  it  elsewhere,  and  being 
unable  to  find  a  description  of  it,  we  are  curious  to  know  its 
history.  It  is,  however,  a  hardy,  beautiful,  and  handsome 
plant,  well  worthy  of  perpetuation.  It  differs  from  the 
fastigiate  form  in  having  spreading  branches  and  probably 
rather  smaller  and  lighter  colored  leaves ;  but  it  is  certain- 
ly quite  distinct  from  the  Common  Yew.  An  excellent 
characteristic  of  this  variety  is  that  it  rarely  ever  loses  its 
dark,  rich  color  during  winter. 

Var.  DovastOIli,  London. — WEEPING  YEW. — A  form 
of  the  Common  Yew  that  is  remarkable  for  its  straggling 
and  drooping  branches  and  branchlets.  These,  when  en- 
grafted on  an  upright  stock,  present  quite  an  unique  and 
pretty  effect,  although  not  sufficiently  reliable  to  recom- 


380  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

mend  for  extensive  planting.  In  the  form  of  a  low  bush, 
we  have  grown  it  for  a  number  of  years,  and  by  carefully 
protecting  it  during  the  winter,  have  succeeded  in  produc- 
ing a  large  plant.  This  variety  is  also  known  under  a 
variety  of  names,  such  as  horizontalis,  imperial  is,  pendula, 
umbraculifera,  <fcc.,  &c.,  all  being  the  same  plant. 

Var.  fructo-lutea,  London. — YELLOW-FRUITED  YEW.— 
This  only  differs  from  the  species  in  having  the  pulpy  disk 
surrounding  the  seed  of  a  bright  yellow  color,  in  place  of 
the  usual  scarlet  of  the  English  Yew.  London  says, 
"  when  covered  with  its  berries,  it  forms  a  very  beautiful 
object,  especially  when  contrasted  with  Yew  trees  covered 
with  berries  of  the  usual  coral  color." 

Var.  erecta,  London. — Syn.  T.  pyramidalis,  IZnight ; 
T.  stricta,  Hort. — Known  as  the  Fulhani  Yew,  Erect  Yew, 
Upright  Yew,  &c.  It  has  been  quite  popular  wherever 
planted,  both  in  this  country  and  England.  It  is  more 
hardy  than  the  species  and  more  upright  in  growth,  with 
slender  branches  that  are  densely  clothed  with  smaller 
foliage  than  that  of  the  common  form.  London  says  it  was 
raised  from  seed  of  the  Irish  Yew.  In  the  well-kept 
grounds  of  Parsons  &  Co.,  at  Flushing,  L.  I.,  we  have  ob- 
served large  beds  of  this  handsome  plant. 

Var.  rccurvataj  Carriere. — "We  are  not  acquainted 
with  this,  but  it  is  described  in  English  works  as  having 
long,  spreading,  reflexed  branches,  and  longer  leaves  than 
the  common  Yew. 

Var.  nana,  Knight. — Fox's  DWARF  YEW. — Syn.  T. 
baccata  Foxii,  Hort. — A  very  diminutive  dwarf  variety  of 
the  common  Yew ;  spreading  in  its  character,  but  rarely 
ever  exceeding  one  or  two  feet  in  height.  Not  yet  intro- 
duced into  this  country,  to  our  knowledge. 

Var,  glauca,  Carriere. — GLAUCOUS  YEW. — This  differs 
from  the  species  in  having  the  under  surface  of  the  leaves 
slightly  glaucous,  and  the  plant  more  vigorous  in  growth. 


THE    TEW   SUB-FAMILY.  381 

Probably  not  yet  introduced  into  Our  American  collections. 
According  to  Gordon,  "  this  is  the  largest  and  finest  of  all 
the  varieties  of  the  common  Yew." 

Var.  ericoideS;  Hort. — Is  quite  similar  to  the  common 
Yew,  but  has  rather  smaller  foliage,  and  a  more  erect 
habit  of  growth.  It  appears  to  be  about  equally  hardy 
with  the  above  in  our  own  garden. 

Var,  spa rsi folia.  London. — We  received  this  variety 
from  France  a  few  years  since,  under  the  name  of  T.  bac- 
cata  monstrosa.  It  is  also  known  in  some  collections  as 
T.  Mitchelli.  The  leaves  are  arranged  similarly  to  those  of 
the  upright  form  of  the  Irish  Yew,  but  are  not  of  so  dark  a 
green  as  is  that  variety.  The  foliage  is  very  widely  scat- 
tered around  the  branches,  which  are  straggling  and 
spreading.  Altogether  it  is  a  curious  little  plant,  but  not 
at  all  handsome. 

Var.  rariegata  alba,  Carriere. — SILVER-VARIEGATED 
YEW. — Syn.  T.  baccata  argentea,  London ;  T.  elegantis- 
sima,  Sort. — In  this  variety,  the  usual  green  leaves  are 
very  elegantly  striped,  and  edged  with  white. 

Var.  variegata  aurca9  Carriere. — GOLDEN-VARIEGATED 
YEW. — Syn.  T.  baccata  variegata,  London. — Has  the 
stripes  and  margins  of  a  pale  yellow.  In  a  group  of  Yews, 
every  one  must  admire  the  rich  tints  and  contrasts  exhib- 
ited in  the  foliage  of  these  two  variegated  kinds.  The 
Silver  Yew  is  perhaps  the  more  pleasing  of  the  two, 
owing  to  the  charming  contrast  of  the  pearly  white- 
ness with  the  usual  dark  green  foliage,  but  both  are 
highly  deserving  of  a  place  in  every  collection.  These 
two  forms  are  very  hardy,  even  more  so  than  the  species. 
We  remember  observing  some  beautiful  specimens  grow- 
ing on  a  large  rockery  springing  up  apparently  out  of  a 
rich  dark  green  carpet  of  the  J~uniperus  prostrata,  and 
surrounded  by  Rhododendrons,  etc.,  where  they  formed 
the  most  attractive  objects  in  the  whole  collection,  and 


382  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

were  unusually  appropriate  to  the  situation.  One  of  the 
best  collections  of  these  handsome  plants  is  probably  to  be 
found  at  Wodenethe,  on  the  Hudson,  where  they  are  of 
large  size,  and  very  beautifully  trained  in  various  ways. 
A  quaint  Scotch  writer  thus  characterizes  one  of  them : 
"  Taxus  baccata  variegata,  or  Golden  Yew,  when  trained 
to  the  height  of  8  or  10  feet,  has  no  rival  for  ornamenta- 
tion, as  each  leaf  is  edged  with  a  fine  golden  yellow  color, 
and  the  effect  of  richness  and  grandeur  thus  produced  is 
most  wonderful."  The  same  writer  also  fancifully  likens  it 
to  "  a  golden  candlestick  ornamented  with  glow-worms." 

Var,  Jacksonii,  W.  Paul. — "A  somewhat  pendulous 
kind,"  says  Gordon  in  his  supplement,  "  with  broad,  light 
green  foliage,  all  more  or  less  incurved,  falcate,  and  thick- 
ly covering  the  upper  part  of  the  branches,  with  the  branch- 
lets  reddish-brown,  numerous,  short,  obliquely  placed,  and 
more  or  less  curved."  Not  yet  introduced  into  this 
country. 

Var,  CheshuntensiS,  W.  Paul— This  pretty  variety  was 
raised  from  seed  of  the  Irish  Yew,  and  is  conical  in  form, 
of  rapid  growth,  and  dark  glossy-green  in  color.  Recom- 
mended by  European  writers. 

Var.  linearis  has  rather  narrower  leaves,  but  otherwise 
is  like  var.  erect  a. 

Tar.  gracillS  is  different  only  in  its  quite  slender 
branches,  and  the  varieties  empetrifolia,  nigra,  and  excel- 
sa,  &c.,  &c.,  differ  but  little  from  the  true  form  of  the  spe- 
cies, and  are,  perhaps,  not  worth  growing  as  distinct  forms. 


ADDITIONAL  LIST  OF  SPECIES  OF  TAXUS. 

We  should  judge  that  several  of  the  following  species 
would  be  entirely  hardy,  but  as  they  are  mostly  new  and 
untested,  we  place  them  here. 


THE    YEW    SUB-FAMILY.  883 

3,  T,  brevifolia,  JVuttall.—Sjn.  T.  Lindleyana,  Murray. 
— Is  described  as  growing  to  the  height  of  from  40  to  60 
feet,  in  North-west  America,  where  it  is  found  in  the  for- 
ests of  Oregon,  extending  far  north  wards.v  It  differs  from 
the  English  Yew  in  having  shorter  and  thinner  leaves, 
which  are  sharply  and  abruptly  terminated  in  a  point,  and 
attenuated  at  the  base  into  a  very  distinct  petiole.  The 
sterile  aments  of  this  species  somewhat  resemble  those  of 
the  var.  Canadensis,  and  the  quality  of  the  wood  is  much 
like  that  of  the  T.  baccata. 

Dr.  Torrey  states :  "  A  small  tree  in  California,  but  in 
Oregon  it  sometimes  occurs  60  feet  high,  with  a  trunk  2 
or  3  feet  in  diameter.  We  follow  Mr.  Nuttall  in  separat- 
ing the  Yew  of  the  north-west  coast  from  the  T.  baccata 
of  Europe.  We  have  not,  however,  found  the  differences 
pointed  out  by  Mr.  Nuttall  to  be  constant." 

Dr.  dewberry,  in  his  description  of  this  tree,  remarks : 
"The  Yew  of  Oregon  and  California,  where  we  saw  it  in 
the  valley  of  the  Willammette,  forms  an  upright  tree  50  to 
75  feet  in  height."  In  a  comparison  between  the  var. 
Canadensis,  and  the  one  under  notice,  he  adds :  "  From 
this  comparison  it  will  be  seen  that  the  principal  differ- 
ences between  the  Eastern  and  Western  Yews  are  found 
in  the  upright,  arboreal  habit,  the  lighter  foliage,  and  the 
shorter  leaves  of  the  Western  plant.  This  Yew  is  found 
on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  down  nearly  or  quite  to  the  south- 
ern line  of  California."  The  same  author  states  that  "  T. 
Lindleijana,  described  by  Murray,  is  undoubtedly  iden- 
tical with  T.  brevifolia." 

1,  T.  CUSpidata,  Siebold. — Is  a  new  species  recently  in- 
troduced from  Japan  into  England,  and,  according  to  Gor- 
don, has  proven  "  quite  hardy  "  there.  It  is  about  15  or 
20  feet  in  height,  with  numerous  spreading  branches,  and 
more  or  less  distichous,  incurved,  coriaceous,  rigid  leaves. 
The  leaves  are  very  dark  above,  and  light  green  below, 


384  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

with  exceedingly  sharp  points  at  the  apex ;  hence  the  spe- 
cific name.  This  pretty  species  is  very  popular  with  the 
Japanese,  and  will  undoubtedly  prove  so  here,  should  it 
succeed  in  our  climate. 

5.  Ti  globosa,  SchlechlendaM. — MEXICAN  YEW. — This 
species,  described  by  Hartweg  as  T.  baccata  Mexicana^ 
has  its  leaves  densely  distichous,  somewhat  falcate,  very 
dark,  shining  green,  and  ending  in  a  stiff,  sharp  point.  The 
branches  are  produced  in  much  the  same  manner  as  those 
of  the  English  Yew,  but  with  the  branchlets  more  or  less 
drooping.     It  will  scarcely  be  of  interest  to  American  cul- 
tivators, as  the  climate  of  England  is  not  sufficiently  mild 
for  its  successful  culture. 

6.  T.  Wallichiana,   Zuccarini. — WALLICH'S    YEW. — 
This  is    also  described    as   T.  nucifera,  by  Royle    and 
others,  as  well  as  T.  virgata,  by  Dr.  Wai  rich,  and  T.  bac- 
cata Indica,  by  Madden.     It  forms  a  splendid  tree  on  the 
mountains  of  Sikkim,  Nepal,  etc.,  at  high  elevations,  where 
it  is  produced  in  great  abundance.     The  leaves  are  long, 
linear,  acute,  petioled,  of  a  dark,  shining  green  color,  and 
in  much  demand  by  the  inhabitants  as  a  substitute  for  tea. 
This  species  is  very  distinct  from  the  Torres/a  nucifera  of 
Zuccarini,  although  frequently  and  erroneously  confounded 
with  it  by  writers  on  the  plants  of  India.    It  may  possibly 
succeed  with  us,  having  proven  quite  hardy  in  England. 

7.  T,  Floridana9   Nuttall. — Is  a  pretty   species  from 
Florida,  growing  near  the  Apalachicola  River,  where  it 
assumes  the  height  of  from  10  to  20  or  30  feet.    The  leaves 
are  quite  narrow,  mucronate,  with  revolute  margins,  and 
about  the  same  color  as  the  common  Yew.     Nuttall  con- 
sidered it  nearly  allied  to  the  T.  brevifolia,  but  occupying 
a  very  different  geographical  range.     The    same   author 
first  named  it  T.  montana.     It  is  described  in  Chapman's 


THE   YEW    SUB-FAMILY.  385 

Flora  of  the  Southern  States.  This  may  possibly  succeed 
in  cultivation  as  far  north  as  Philadelphia,  where  the  Tor- 
reya  taxifolia  will  flourish,  but  we  are  unable  to  say  at 
present, 


2§.— TORREYA,  Arnott. 

Flowers  axillary  and  dioecious.  Sterile  aments,  solitary, 
oblong,  or  globular.  Anther  cells  4,  attached  to  the  under 
side  of  the  shield-shaped  scale.  Fertile  aments  either  soli- 
tary, or  in  clusters  of  two  or  three,  containing  a  solitary, 
erect  ovule.  Fruit,  a  drupe,  one-seeded,  devoid  of  the 
fleshy  disk  at  the  base,  and  with  the  embryo  at  the  apex 
of  hard,  ruminated  albumen.  Cotyledons,  2.  Leaves  most- 
ly distichous,  linear,  persistent.  Branches  in  whorls,  and 
producing  scaly  buds. 

The  Torreyas  are  all  evergreen  trees,  and  closely  allied 
to  the  Yew,  the  principal  distinction  being  in  the  fruit. 
The  leaves  of  the  Torreyas  are  marked  with  two  longitu- 
dinal lines,  and  are  noted  for  a  remarkable  and  repugnant 
odor,  that  is  emitted  from  them  when  bruised  or  burned. 
They  are  generally  small  trees,  and  are  natives  of  our 
Southern  States,  California,  China,  and  Japan.  This  genus 
was  named  in  honor  of  Prof.  John  Torrey,  of  New  York. 

1,  T.  Californica,  Torrey. — CALIFORNIA]*  NUTMEG 
TREE. — Syn.  T.  myristica,  Hooker. — Leaves,  from  2  to  2£ 
inches  long,  linear,  mostly  distichous,  mucronate,  decur- 
rent,  short-petioled,  pale-green  color.  Branches,  spreading, 
with  the  buds  covered  with  persistent  oval  scales.  Fruit, 
1£  to  1J  inch  in  length,  elliptic,  smooth,  green  color, 
and  protecting  the  hard,  nut-like  seed. 

This  species  is  from  California,  where  it  is  found  on  the 
Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  growing  from  20  to  40  feet 
17 


386  THE  BOOK  OF  EVERGREENS. 

high,  and  forming  a  round-headed,  small,  compact  tree. 
According  to  Dr.  Torrey,  this  species  was  "  first  made 
known  to  North  American  botanists  by  the  late  Mr.  Shel- 
ton,  who  travelled  extensively  in  California,"  and  was 
afterwards  described  by  Sir  Wm.  Hooker  under  the  title 
of  T.  myrutica,  in  the  Botanical  Magazine.  Dr.  Bigelow 
states :  "  This  tree  grows  from  40  to  50  feet  high,  with 
very  slender,  drooping  branches,  and  a  thin,  light  foliage. 
The  bark  is  smooth,  somewhat  resembling  that  of  the 
common  White  Mulberry,  and  the  wood  hard  and  firm." 
In  England  it  has  proven  quite  hardy,  and  we  await  with 
some  anxiety  its  trial  in  this  country.  We  have  a  speci- 
men, two  feet  high,  that  has  hitherto  been  wintered  in  a 
cold  frame,  but  which  is  now  in  the  open  ground  for  the 
first  time.  Other  cultivators  are  also  experimenting  with 
it,  and  we  shall  soon  be  able  to  report  on  its  ability  to 
stand  our  climate.  Its  beauty  cannot  be  called  in  ques- 
tion, as  its  charming  foliage,  its  peculiar  habit  of  growth, 
and  arrangement  of  branches,  fully  entitle  it  to  be  consid- 
ered as  a  great  desideratum. 

It  is  emphatically  a  plant  to  be  seen,  and  not  handled, 
as  it  possesses  in  an  eminent  degree  the  unpleasant  odor 
peculiar  to  the  genus,  and  which  has  obtained  for  it  in  its 
native  country  the  significant  but  inelegant  appellation 
of  the  "  Stinking  Yew." 

2.  T.  nucifera,  Zuecarmi. — NUT-BEARING  TORREYA. — 
Leaves  from  1  to  If  inch  long,  linear,  mostly  distichous, 
scattered  on  the  young  shoots,  coriaceous,  flat,  short-pe- 
duncled,  sharply-mucronate,  dark  glossy  green  color. 
Branches,  numerous,  spreading,  with  scaly  bark.  Fruit, 
f-  of  an  inch  long,  -|-  of  an  inch  broad,  oval  or  ovate-oblong, 
with  a  smooth,  glossy,  thin,  green  covering,  and  hard,  bony 
seed. 

A  native  of  the  northern  portions  of  Japan,  but  is  cul- 
tivated in  all  parts  of  that  country,  and,  according  to 
Kaempfer,  is  a  lofty  tree,  with  many  opposite,  scaly 


THE   TEW    SUB-FAMILY.  887 

brunches,  producing  a  light  wood.  Other  writers  speak 
of  it  as  growing  about  20  or  30  feet  in  height,  and  inhab- 
iting the  mountains  in  the  islands  of  Niphon  and  Sikok,  in 
Japan.  As  this  species  is  very  rare  in  England,  and  only 
in  the  possession  of  a  few  enthusiastic  cultivators  in  this 
country,  our  knowledge  of  its  hardiness  and  habits 
is  necessarily  quite  limited. 

We  have  not  tested  it  thoroughly  in  the  open  ground, 
but  have  grown  it  for  a  few  years  past  as  a  pot-plant,  to 
our  great  satisfaction.  Our  own  small  experience  would 
lead  us  to  believe  that  it  may  be  recommended  for  trial 
with  excellent  chances  of  success. 

The  branches  are  usually  in  whorls,  but  are  occasionally 
disposed  alternately,  or  scattered,  and  the  bark  is  very 
scaly.  The  branchlets  are  numerous,  quite  short,  and  gen- 
erally distichous.  The  oil  extracted  from  the  kernel  of 
the  seed  is  very  astringent  and  unpalatable,  but,  accord- 
ing to  Ksempfer,  it  is  used  for  culinary  purposes. 

3.  T,  taxifolia,  Arnott. — YEW- LEAVED  TORREYA.— 
Leaves,  from  1  to  1^  inch  long,  linear,  very  sharp-pointed, 
rigid,  almost  sessile,  pungent,  coriaceous,  pale  shining 
green  color.  Branches,  horizontal,  spreading,  with  oppo- 
site, 2-ranked  branchlets.  Fruit,  about  the  size  and  shape 
of  a  nutmeg,  with  a  smooth,  glaucous  covering,  and  a  hard, 
bony  testa. 

According  to  Chapman,  this  native  Torreya  is  found  in 
rich  soil,  along  the  east  bank  of  the  Apalachicola  River, 
in  Middle  Florida.  Nuttall,  in  describing  it,  says :  "  This 
stately  evergreen,  resembling  the  Yew,  was  discovered  in 
Middle  Florida,  by  the  late  lamented  H.  B.  Groom,  of  Tal- 
lahassee, and  is  sufficiently  abundant  around  Aspalaga  to 
be  used  as  timber,  and  sawed  into  planks.  Prof.  Torrey 
and  Mr.  Croom  describe  it  as  a  tree  of  from  6  to  18  inches 
in  diameter,  and  from  20  to  40  feet  high,  with  numerous 
spreading  branches,  the  branchlets  dividing  into  threes ;  its 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 


Tig.  62. — TORREYA  TAXIFOLIA. — A  BRANCH  TWO-THIRDS  NATURAL  SIZE  ; 
a,  A  LEAP  OF  FULL  SIZE  ;  &,  A  STAMINATE  AMENT  ;  C,  AN  ANTHER ;  <?,  THE 
PISTILLATE  AMENT,  ALL  MUCH  MAGNIFIED  •  6,  A  FRUIT  OF  NATURAL  SIZE. 


THE   YEW    SUB-FAMILY.  389 

appearance  at  a  distance  is  not  unlike  to  that  of  the  Hem- 
lock Spruce,  (Abies  Canadensis}" 

Groom's  locality  for  this  tree  was  along  the  east  branch 
of  the  Apalachicola  River,  near  the  confluence  of  the  Flint 
and  Chatahoochee,  and  on  Flat  Creek  of  the  same  stream,  as 
well  as  on  the  borders  of  the  Aspalaga.  Prof.  Torrey  says 
it  has  been  found  south  of  the  Suanna.  Nuttall  remarks, 
that  "a  blood-red  turpentine  of  a  pasty  consistence  flows 
sparingly  from  the  bark  which  is  soluble  in  alcohol,  form- 
ing a  deep  clear  solution,  and  when  heated,  evolves  a  very 
powerful  terebinthinous,  but  unpleasant  odor." 

This  species  will  gradually  become  more  of  a  favorite 
as  its  qualities  for  ornamental  purposes  become  better 
known,  but  we  have  no  reason  to  expect  it  will  ever  attain 
to  a  greater  size  than  a  large  shrub  in  the  Middle  States. 
Wherever  it  has  been  fully  tested,  its  hardiness  has  been 
conceded,  and  there  are  already  several  fine  specimens  in 
the  Northern  States.  Perhaps  the  largest  and  best  plants 
of  this  species  are  at  Wodenethe,  the  owner  of  which  has 
devoted  more  time  and  expense  towards  acclimating  and 
testing  the  newer  Conifers  than  any  other  man  in  this 
country.  The  finest  plant  in  his  collection  is  at  this  time 
about  9  or  10  feet  in  height,  and  is  remarkably  compact 
and  beautiful. 

The  vulgar  name  of  "  Stinking  Yew  "  has  also  been  ap- 
plied to  this  plant,  and  if  a  tree  with  an  unpleasant  odor 
deserves  such  an  uncouth  title,  then  this  plant  richly  mer- 
its it.  Cultivators  should  not  be  deterred  from  planting 
it  on  this  account,  as  no  unpleasant  odor  is  perceptible 
unless  the  foliage  be  bruised  or  the  branches  burned.  Gor- 
don speaks  of  it  as  "  not  quite  hardy  in  some  parts  "  of 
England. 

4.  T.  grandis,  of  Fortune,  is  a  native  of  the  north  of 
China,  growing  on  the  mountains,  and  forming  a  large- 
sized,  spreading  tree.  The  leaves  are  not  so  long  as  those 


390  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

of  the  other  species,  and  are  linear-lanceolate,  distichous, 
nearly  sessile,  acute,  dark  shining  green.  The  fruit  is 
large,  oval,  and  drupaceous,  but  devoid  of  the  ruminated 
albumen,  which  is  one  of  the  characters  of  this  genus. 
Gordon  suggests  that  it  may  ultimately  be  classed  with 
Cephalotaxux,  and  it  is  certainly  not  unlike  that  genus. 
The  fact  that  the  leaves  of  the  Torreya  grandis  are  en- 
tirely devoid  of  unpleasant  odor,  gives  probability  to  the 
view  that  it  is  generically  distinct.  It  is  very  rare,  both 
in  this  country  and  Europe. 


29.— CEPHALOTAXUS,  Siebold. 

Flowers,  dioecious,  axillary,  and  pedunculate.  Fruit 
clustered,  drupe-like,  and  containing  within  a  pulpy  disk, 
the  solitary  nut-like  seed.  Cotyledons,  2.  Leaves/liuear, 
distichous,  alternate,  persistent,  with  a  single  nerve. 

This  genus  is  closely  allied  to  Taxus,  but  more  nearly 
resembles  Torreya,  and  derives  its  name  from  the  disposi- 
tion of  the  flowers,  which  are  arranged  in  clusters.  The 
derivation  is  from  "Jcephale"  a  head,  and  "taxis"  ar- 
rangement. They  are  all  medium-sized  or  rather  large 
trees,  found  in  Japan  and  China,  where  they  are  also  very 
generally  cultivated  by  the  natives.  There  is  no  doubt 
that  in  proper  situations  in  this  country  they  may  be 
made  available  as  ornamental  shrubs  at  least. 

!•  €•  drupacea,  Siebold. — PLUM-FRUITED  CEPHALO- 
TAXUS. — Syn.  C.  Fortunii  foemina,  Carriere,  &c. — Leaves 
medium  size,  linear,  distichous,  opposite,  slightly  falcate, 
rigid,  coriaceous,  dark  shining  green  above,  and  slightly 
glaucous  below.  Sterile  aments  globular  and  long-pe- 
duncled.  Branches,  somewhat  ascending,  but  mostly 
horizontal,  in  whorls,  spreading,  straight,  numerous,  with 


THE   YEW   SUB-FAMILY.  391 

flat,  stiff,  short  branchlets,  and  small,  imbricated,  persist- 
ent-scaled, acute  buds.  Fruit,  nearly  1  inch  in  length, 
elliptical,  purple  color,  enclosing  a  solitary  seed  with  a 
bony  testa. 

This  pretty  evergreen,  long  known  and  disseminated  as 
the  female  form  of  the  C.  Fortunii  of  Hooker,  is  now 
proven,  however,  to  be  a  distinct  species.  It  grows  to  the 
height  of  20  or  30  feet,  and  is  a  native  of  China  and  Japan. 
We  have  grown  this  plant  for  several  years,  and  find  it 
quite  desirable ;  we  presume  it  is  more  hardy  than  the  O. 
Fortunii,  to  which  it  is  closely  allied.  It  has  given  excel- 
lent satisfaction  in  many  other  localities  where  it  has  been 
cultivated,  especially  around  Philadelphia,  at  Laurel  Hill 
Cemetery,  &c.  At  the  latter  place,  in  the  small  family 
enclosures,  we  thought  it  particularly  appropriate. 

In  the  grounds  of  the  late  John  Evans,  of  Radnor,  Pa., 
is  a  fine  plant,  that,  from  some  unknown  cause,  has  formed 
a  low,  spreading,  straggling  bush,  although  it  is  entirely 
hardy  there,  and  annually  perfects  its  flowers,  and  retains 
the  brilliancy  of  its  foliage  unimpaired.  This  peculiarity 
of  form  may  be  owing  in  a  great  measure  to  the  effects  of 
our  severe  winters  upon  the  leading  shoots  at  a  time  when 
the  plant  was  young  and  tender. 

In  its  native  country  it  forms  a  medium-sized  tree,  with 
long,  spreading  branches,  disposed  mostly  in  regular  whorls. 
Although  the  leaves  are  naturally  of  a  dark  shining  green, 
they  nevertheless  present  to  the  American  cultivator  a 
pale  yellowish-green  color  in  most  instances — not  a  sickly 
hue,  but  a  charming  shade  of  verdure  that  contrasts  pret- 
tily with  such  shades  of  green  as  are  natural  to  the  Yew, 
and  some  of  the  trailing  Junipers. 

The  fruit  is  said  to  be  particularly  handsome,  resembling 
large  purple  plums  in  size  and  color. 

2.  €•  Fortunii,  Hooker. — FORTUNE'S  CEPHALOTAXUS. — 
Syn.  C.  Fortunii  pendula,  Carriers;  C.  Fortunii  mas, 
Hort. — Leaves  very  long,  linear,  inclining  to  lanceolate, 


392 


THE    BOOK    OP   EVERGREENS. 


distichous,  flat,  almost  sessile,  smooth,  dark  shining  green 
above,  and  somewhat  glaucous  below.  Sterile  aments, 
short-peduncled,  globular.  Branches  spreading  and  droop- 
ing, long,  slender ;  with  long,  filiform,  scattered  branch- 


Fig.  63.— CEPHALOTAXTJS  FOBTUNn.— BRANCH  OXE-QUARTER  SIZE,  WITH 
SINGLE  LEAF   OF   LIFE   SIZE. 

lets;  and  small  buds  with  acute,  persistent,  imbricated 
scales.  Fruit,  very  large,  from  1  to  1£  inch  long,  and 
about  }  of  an  inch  in  width,  elliptical,  with  a  solitary, 


THE   TEW   SUB-FAMILY.  393 

thin-shelled,  nut-like  seed,  covered  with  a  thin,  pulpy,  pur- 
plish flesh  when  mature. 

This  fine  species  is  a  native  of  the  same  localities  as  the 
preceding,  but  is  readily  distinguished  from  it  by  its 
larger  and  coarser  growth.  The  branches  of  this  species 
are  placed  in  regular  whorls,  and  are  long  and  slender, 
becoming  pendulous  at  the  extremities.  The  leaves  are 
very  large  and  distinct.  We  have  found  it  hardy,  and 
presume  it  will  be  one  of  the  most  desirable  small  Conifers, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  at  least.  During  the  win- 
ter, the  foliage  becomes  somewhat  browned,  but  on  the 
appearance  of  warm  weather  it  again  assumes  the  glossy 
green  color  that  adds  so  materially  to  its  beauty. 

There  is  a  peculiar  oriental  aspect  in  this  tree  that  re- 
minds one  of  a  fine  healthy  Cunninghamia  or  the  rarer 
Araucarias ;  and  as  these  plants  will  never  succeed  here, 
we  may  find  an  acceptable  substitute  in  this  elegant  species. 
During  the  first  few  years  after  planting,  the  young  trees 
should  have  a  slight  protection  afforded  them  by  simply 
placing  a  few  evergreen  boughs  over  their  tops  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  prevent  the  direct  influence  of  the  sun ; 
otherwise  the  tender,  succulent  shoots  on  young  plants  are 
liable  to  be  injured. 

Planters  should  always  bear  in  mind  that  the  sun  dur- 
ing winter  is  a  much  more  deadly  enemy  to  half-hardy 
plants  than  intense  cold. 


ADDITIONAL  LIST  OF  CEPHALOTAXUS. 

We  are  not  aware  that  either  of  the  following  species 
has  been  tested  in  this  country,  but  as  they  have  been 
pronounced  by  English  writers  to  be  entirely  hardy  with 
them,  we  may  hope  to  enjoy  their  beauty  at  no  distant 
date. 

17* 


394  THE   BOOK    OP   EVERGREENS. 

3.  C.  pedunculata,  Siebold. — Is  a  beautiful,  large  species 
from  Japan,  frequently  attaining  the  height  of  20  or  25 
feet.     It  is  occasionally  sold  under  the  synonym  of  Taxus 
Harringtonii,  Loudon,  and  also  known  as  Taxus  fiinemis, 
Knight,  as  well  as  Taxus  Inukaja,  of  the  same  author, 
the  latter  appellation  meaning  literally  a  "Wild  Yew." 
The  leaves  are  very  long,  dark,  and  glossy,  and  the  tree 
produces  large,  drupaceous  fruit,  borne  on  long  peduncles ; 
hence  its  specific  name.     It  is  reported  to  be  very  hand- 
some and  desirable. 

4.  C,  limbraculifera,  Siebold. — Is    another    Japanese 
species,  with  shorter  leaves  than  the  preceding,  but  also 
very  dark  and  glossy.     The  branches  spread  out  horizon- 
tally, and    are    arranged    in  regular  whorls.      The  fruit 
borne  by  this  species  is  perhaps  the  largest  of  the  genus, 
being  about  the  size  of  a  small  walnut.     It  is  also  found 
growing  in  the  northern  portions  of  China,  and  we  may 
hope  that  it  will  succeed  with  us. 


3O.— PODOCARPUS,    E  Rentier. 

Flowers  axillary,  and  mostly  dioecious.  Fruit,  drupe- 
like  and  inverted,  with  a  bony  testa  to  the  seeds.  Cotyle- 
dons, 2.  Leaves,  one-nerved,  opposite,  alternate  or  scat- 
tered, linear  or  oblong. 

So  few  species  out  of  this  very  large  genus  will  survive 
our  winters,  that  until  within  a  few  years  past  the  whole 
appeared  to  be  proscribed  in  this  country.  But  as  a  por- 
tion of  them  became  better  known  and  more  fully  tested, 
this  prejudice  against  them  passed  away,  and  we  may  con- 
fidently expect  to  succeed  with  a  few  of  the  hardier  kinds. 

The  derivation  of  the  name  is  from  the  Greek  "pous" 


THE   TEW    SUB-FAMILY.  395 

a  foot,  and  "  Jcarpos"  a  fruit,  in  allusion  to  the  long  pe- 
duncle which  supports  the  flowers  and  fruit. 

This  extensive  genus  embraces  about  50  species  with 
numerous  varieties,  and  through  the  exertions  of  explor- 
ers, the  number  is  gradually  increasing.  We  shall  describe 
only  two  or  three  species,  that  will  perhaps  prove  hardy 
here,  and  merely  enumerate  the  remaining  kinds,  with  a 
few  notes  on  each. 

1*  P.  coriacea,  Richard. — LEATHERY-LEAVED  PODO- 
CAEPTJS. — Syn.  Taxus  coriacea,  of  some  European  collectors. 
Leaves,  long,  lanceolate,  very  nearly  sessile,  coriaceous, 
somewhat  obtuse,  deep  glossy-green  color.  Branches, 
horizontal  and  spreading.  Fruit,  quite  small,  with  short 
peduncles ;  and  with  a  curved,  oval-oblong,  bard  seed. 

As  there  appears  to  be  some  confusion  arising  from  the 
name  of  this  species,  we  may  question  the  identity  of  the 
specimens  in  our  possession.  These  plants  answer  the  de- 
scription given  by  European  authors,  excepting  in  regard 
to  manner  of  growth  and  hardiness.  The  mature  tree, 
according  to  the  best  authorities,  has  horizontal,  spread- 
ing branches ;  Avhereas  in  the  young  plants  that  have  come 
under  the  writer's  observation,  they  are  invariably  erect. 
As  to  hardiness,  they  will  endure  our  coldest  winters  with- 
out protection ;  whilst  in  England  they  are  reported  "  not 
Lardy."  We  do  not  feel  confident  of  possessing  the  true 
P.  coriacea,  but  we  do  feel  satisfied  that  we  have  a  very 
valuable,  hardy,  and  beautiful  evergreen  under  this  name. 

The  true  species  is  from  the  Blue  Mountains  of  Jamaica 
and  adjacent  islands,  where  it  forms  a  handsome  tree  with 
mostly  slender,  spreading  branches,  which  are  tuberculat- 
ed  by  the  decaying  leaves.  It  grows  generally  to  the 
height  of  40  or  50  feet. 

2,  P.  Japonica,  Sielold. — JAPAN  PODOCARPUS. — Leaves, 
very  large,  4  to  8  inches  long,  and  -J-  inch  wide,  linear- 
lanceolate,  obtuse,  rigid,  coriaceous,  very  dark  green  color. 
Branches  erect,  with  few  branchlets.  Fruit  unknown. 


396 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGEEENS. 


Wherever  this  species  has  been  tested  in  the  open  air, 

we  are  pleased  to 
learn  that  it  is  suc- 
ceeding in  a  man- 
ner that  gives 
promise  of  future 
usefulness.  At  Par- 
sons &  Co.'s,Flush- 
ing,  L.  L,  and  at 
Wodenethe,  on  the 
Hudson,  there  are 
young  plants  that 
are  now  giving 
great  satisfaction. 
Its  rich,  dark  glos- 
sy foliage  gives  a 
peculiar, yet  charm- 
ing appearance  to 
this  plant,  that 
eminently  fits  it 
for  cemetery  pur- 
poses, and  makes  it 
preferable  to  the 
Irish  Yew,  which 
it  resembles  in 
manner  of  growth. 
Dr.  SieboM,  who 
first  introduced 
this  plant  from 
Japan,  states  it  is 
a  beautiful  small 
tree  in  that  coun- 
try, but  we  have 
nothing  further 

Fig.  64.— PODOCARPUS  JAPONICA,  TWO-THIRD    concerning  it      In 
SIZE. 

bargent  s     edition 


THE   TEW   SUB-FAMILY.  397 

of  Downing's  Landscape  Gardening,  the  author  thus 
speaks  of  it :  "  P.  Japonica  seems  the  best  known  as  yet, 
and  the  hardiest ;  our  specimens  have  been  through  two 
winters  without  any  injury;  it  is  certainly  with  us  quite 
as  hardy  as  the  Irish  Yew." 

3.  P.  nubigiciia,  Lindley. — NUBIGEAN  PODOCAKPUS. — 
Leaves  linear  or  linear-lanceolate,  of  medium  length, 
acute,  flat,  coriaceous,  dark  green  above,  slightly  glau- 
cous below.  Branches,  numerous.  Fruit,  oblong,  solitary, 
axillary,  with  short  peduncles,  with  the  seed  incurved  at 
the  apex. 

A  new  and  rare  species  recently  introduced  from  Pata- 
gonia and  Chili,  where  it  frequents  the  coldest  localities 
on  the  mountains,  and  forms  a  large-sized  tree.  This 
plant  is  also  alluded  to  in  Sargent's  edition  of  Downing's 
Landscape  Gardening,  as  follows :  "  There  is  one  other  va- 
riety (species  ?)  not  yet  received  into  this  country  to  our 
knowledge,  which  promises  better  than  any  of  the  above, 
viz.,  Podocarpus  nubigcena,  which  is  described  as  one 
of  the  finest,  as  it  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  hardiest 
and  most  distinct  of  all  the  Conifers  introduced  within  a 
few  years."  We  may  add  to  this  that  we  received  it  from 
Belgium,  some  five  years  since,  and  can  bear  testimony  to 
its  exceeding  beauty.  Our  plant  stood  the  winter  admira- 
bly, but  was  accidentally  destroyed  a  short  time  after- 
ward. As  it  is  yet  so  new  and  scarce,  it  will  perhaps  be 
some  time  before  it  will  become  well  known,  and  we 
therefore  refrain  from  recommending  it  as  entirely  hardy ; 
but  we  sincerely  trust  it  may  be  thoroughly  tested  in  dif- 
ferent sections  of  our  country  as  speedily  as  possible. 


ADDITIONAL    LIST    OF    PODOCARPUS. 

As  already  stated,  the  species  of  Podocarpus  are  so  nu- 
merous, and  for  the  most  part  tender,  that  we  shall  give 


398  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

but  a  hasty  glance  at  each  as  we  enumerate  them  in  the 
following  list.  Believing  that  the  greater  portion  of  them 
can  never  be  acclimated,  in  the  Northern  States  at  least, 
we  shall  be  performing  a  duty  by  recommending  them  for 
-pot-culture. 

For  this  purpose  they  are  unexceptionable,  and  are 
highly  deserving  of  cultivation,  especially  when  placed  in 
groups  upon  the  lawn  with  the  pots  sunken  in  the  ground. 
In  the  beautiful  collection  of  the  late  Wm.  Reid,  of  Eliza- 
bethtown,  1ST.  J.,  we  remember  this  grouping  of  ever- 
greens was  one  of  the  owner's  favorite  modes  of  planting, 
and  the  most  attractive  feature  of  the  place. 

The  erect  form,  and  rich,  dark  glossy-green  color  of  the 
larger  portion  of  the  genus,  are  admirably  adapted  to 
contrast  with  the  pendulous  habit  and  lighter  verdure  of 
many  other  tender  plants,  especially  the  rare  and  graceful 
Dacridiums,  Juniperus,  etc.  The  following  list  comprises 
the  greater  portion  of  the  known  species  and  varieties,  ac- 
cording to  Gordon,  from  whose  work  on  Conifers  they 
have  been  mainly  compiled. 

4.  P.  \  Ipiiia.  Urown. — Said  to  grow  on  Mount  Welling- 
ton, in  Tasmania. 

5.  P,  Antarctica,  Vanlloutte. — Is  a  large  tree  grow- 
ing on  the  Andes  in  Chili  and  Patagonia. 

6.  P.  ainara.  JZlume. — Is  a  very  tender  species  from 
the  Island  of  Java,  where  it  forms  an  immense  tree  200 
feet  in  height. 

7.  P.  Andina,  Pceppeg. — A  new  and  rare  species,  which 
may  prove  hardy  in  this  country.     It  is  from  the  colder 
portions  of  Chili,  growing  from  10  to  20  feet  in  height, 
and  with  numerous  branches  densely  clothed  with  dark 
green,  shining,  leathery  leaves. 


THE   TEW   SUB-FAMILY.  399 

8.  P.  Bid  will  i,  Hoibrenk. — Is  another  uncertain  species 
introduced  from  New  Holland,  but  of  whose  history  but 
very  little  is  known. 

9.  P,  bract  eat  a,  Blume. — A  fine,  large  species  found 
in  Java,  and  in  the  forests  that  skirt  the  mountains  of 
Burangrang.     It  generally  reaches  the  height  of  80  feet, 
with   a  tall,   straight  trunk,   and   spreading,   horizontal 
branches.      It  derives  its  specific  name  from  the  large 
bractiform  involucre  at  the  base  of  the  fertile  flowers. 

Var.  brCTipes,  Blume. — Is  from  the  same  locality,  and 
has  shorter  and  narrower  leaves,  and  smaller  fruit. 

10.  P.   (Ililiana,  Richard. — Is  very  frequent   on  the 
Chilian  Mountains,  where  it  grows  to  the  height  of  40 
feet.     It  has  numerous  branches  covered  with  bright  green 
leaves  from  3  to  4  inches  long. 

11.  P,   Chinensis,    Wallich. — A  small-sized  tree  from 
Japan  and  China,  which  was  mistaken  for  a  Taxus  by  Rox- 
burgh and  others.     It  has  various  synonyms  given  it  by 
Endlicher,   Siebold,   etc.     The    branches   are   erect    and 
spreading,  and  the  leaves  pale  glaucous-green.     Possibly 
this  may  prove  hardy  with  us. 

Var.  aurea,  and  var.  argentea,  Gordon.—  Are  two 
very  beautiful  plants  sent  to  England  to  the  Royal  Bag- 
shot  Nursery,  in  1861,  by  Fortune,  from  Japan. 

12.  P,  cupressina,  Brown. — Grows  to  the  height  of 
180  feet,  and  is  a  native  of  Java  and  the  Philippine  Islands. 
It  is  very  tender,  although  exceedingly  beautiful. 

13.  P,  C0rrugata5  Gordon. — A  small-sized  tree  or  large 
shrub  from  Yeddo,  where  it  is  cultivated  in  the  gardens. 
Introduced  into  England  by  Fortune,  in  1861.     The  foli- 


400  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

age  is  delicately  and  beautifully  variegated.     There  is  also 
a  probability  of  this  handsome  species  succeeding  here. 

14,  P.    discolor,  Blume. — Another   species   found  in 
Japan  on  the  most  elevated  mountains ;    it  forms  a  large- 
sized  tree.     Not  hardy. 

15,  P,  dacryoides,  JRichard. — One  of  the  largest  of  the 
genus,  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  tender.     It  comes  from 
New  Zealand,  where  it  assumes  the  height  of  200  feet, 
with  long,  drooping,  and  spreading  branches. 

16,  P,  data,  Brown. — Character  somewhat  obscured. 
A  native  of  New  Holland,  with  beautiful  large  leaves, 
about  3  or  4  inches  in  length. 

17,  P.  elongata,  ISHeritier. — Is  known  by  numerous 
synonyms,  and  is  one  of  the  most  tender  species.     It  is 
from  Abyssinia  and  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  where  it 
forms  a  large  tree. 

18,  P.  Endlicherianus,  Carriere. — Is  said  to  be  found 
in  the  northern  parts  of  India,  where  it  forms  a  tall  tree 
with  numerous  ascending  branches.     Its  history,  however, 
is  but  little  known.     The  leaves  are  from  4  to  7  inches 
long,  and  of  a  pale  green  color. 

19,  P,  ensifolia,  Brown. — From  New  Holland  and  Tas- 
mania.     A  small  tree,  and    undoubtedly  tender,   with 
sharply  acute  leaves  2  or  3  inches  long. 

20,  P,  falcata,  Brown. — Is  but  little  known.     Thun- 
berg  is  supposed  to  have  discovered  it  at  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope.     The  seeds  in  this  species  are  said  to  be  de- 
void of  the  fleshy  receptacle. 


THE    YEW   SUB-FAMILY.  401 

21 .  P,  ferruginea,  Don. — Although  not  hardy,  this  beau- 
tiful tree  is  well  worthy  of  notice.     It  comes  from  New 
Zealand,  where  it  grows  from  40  to  60  feet  in  height. 
The  numerous  leaves  are  of  a  rusty-brown  color.     The 
timber  is  of  a  beautiful  reddish  tint   and  very  durable. 

22.  P.  Koraiana,  Siebold. — We  have  hopes  that  this 
handsome  little  plant  may  eventually  be  acclimated  with 
us.     It  has  proven  hardy  in  England,  and  forms  a  valua- 
ble, erect-growing  shrub.     A  native  of  the  mountains  of 
Japan,  but  extensively  grown  there  in  the  gardens. 

23.  P.  hctaf  JEToibrenJc. — A  tender  species  from  New 
Holland,  forming  a  tall,  straight  tree,  with  few,  verticillate 
branches,  and  medium-sized,  sharp-pointed  leaves. 

24.  P,  Lambert!,  Klotzsch. — A  Brazilian  plant  found 
in  the  mountains,  and  is  a  large-sized  tree.     It  is  a  robust 
grower. 

25.  P,  Lawrencii,  ITooJcer. — Is  an  obscure  species  from 
Tasmania,  where  it  was  discovered  by  Gunn.     It  is  a 
small-sized    tree,   with    pale   green    leaves    and    slender 
branches. 

26.  P.  leptOStachya,  Blume. — Grows  to  the  height  of 
50  or  60  feet,  and  comes  from  the  Island  of  Borneo,  where 
it  is  abundant  in  the  mountainous  districts.     Leaves,  dull 
green,  from  two  to  five  inches  in  length. 

27.  P.  macrophylla,  Don. — Has  been  introduced  and 
grown  under  several  synonyms,  and  is  a  tender  tree  from 
Japan,  where  it  grows  to  the  height  of  40  or  50  feet,  and 
is  well  adapted  for  pot-culture  with  us. 

28.  P.   DCglecta,  2>lume. — Is  another  tender  species 


402  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

from  the  Island  of  Java,  growing  over  100  feet  in  height. 
Leaves  from  two  to  four  inches  long,  on  opposite  or 
whorled  branches. 

29.  P.  nereifoliaj  Brown.  —  Grows  about  40  feet  in 
height,  and  is  found  in  Nepal,  etc.  Leaves  from  three  to 
six  inches  long,  and  bright  green  color.  It  is  very  tender. 


30,  P.  nivaliSj  Hooker.  —  A  new  and  uniritroduced  spe- 
cies, growing  in  the  northern  portion  of  New  Zealand,  on 
the  Mountain  of  Tongariro,  and  near  the  perpetual  snow 
limits.     It  forms  a  small  shrub  with  oblong,  mostly  sessile 
leaves. 

31,  P.   oleifolia,  Don.  —  A  tender  tree  from  the  moun- 
tains of  Chili,  with  numerous  acute,  leathery  leaves,  borne 
on  smooth,  crowded  branches. 

32,  P,    polystachya,   Brown.  —  Resembles  somewhat 
P.  bracteata,  and  is  a  native  of  Singapore.     It  is  a  large 
tree,  with  a  branching  head  and  straight  stem. 

33,  P.  Purdieana,  Hooker.  —  Is  from  Jamaica,  where  it 
grows  to  the  height  of  100  feet,  and  is  furnished  with 
horizontal,  spreading  branches,  and  bright  green,  thick, 
leathery  leaves,  from  3  to  5  inches  long.     It  is  reported 
as  being  "  very  tender." 

34,  P,  rigida,  Klotzsch.  —  From  Peru,  but  of  which  we 
have  not  a  full  description.     Leaves  very  acute,  smooth, 
and  shining.     Branches,  with  a  smooth  yellowish-brown 
bark,  numerous,  and  densely  clothed  with  leaves. 

35,  P.  Riimphii,  Blume—  Frequents  the  most  elevated 
forests  of  the  Moluccas  and  New  Guinea,  where  it  grows  to 
the  height  of  80  or  100  feet.     The  leaves  are  frequently  in 


THE   YEW    SUB-FAMILY.  403 

whorls,  and  the  branches  long  and  smooth,  with  a  reddish- 
brown  bark. 

36.  P.  Salicifolia.  Klotzsch. — Is  from  the  north-western 
part  of  South  America,  forming  a  small  tree  on  the  moun- 
tains.     The  leaves  are  long,  falcate,  leathery,  and  pale 
shining  green  in  color.     It  is  tender. 

37.  P.    Sellowii,  Klotzsch. — Another  tender  species 
from  the  mountains  of  Brazil,  with  long,  acute,  lanceolate 
leaves,  and  reported  as  not  hardy. 

383  P.  Spicata9  Brown. — Resembles  the  Dacridiums  so 
closely  as  to  be  classed  with  that  genus  by  several  authors. 
It  frequently  grows  from  150  to  200  feet,  and  occasionally 
even  reaches  the  height  of  300  feet,  and  is  found  on  the 
Island  of  New  Zealand.  Quite  tender  in  England. 


39.  P.  Spinulosa9  Brown. — Is  also  not  hardy,  being  a 
native   of   the   eastern  portion   of  New  Holland.     The 
branches  are  slender  and  spreading,  and  the  leaves  leath- 
ery, linear,  falcate,  pungent,  and  very  acute. 

40.  P.  taxifolia,  Humboldt. — We  imported  this  tree  a 
few  years  since  under  the  name  of  Torreya  Hiimboldtii 
of   Knight;    but  as  the   young   shoots   were   frequently 
destroyed,   we   consider   it   too  tender  for   our   climate. 
The    Wodenethe    specimen    is  reported    to    have  stood 
"  three  winters  without  injury,"   and  the  owner  says  "  it 
resembles  still  more  the  Irish  Yew  than  the  Podocarpus 
Japonica"     As  our  plant  had  no  resemblance  to  the  Irish 
Yew  whatever,  it  is  quite  reasonable  to  infer  that  one  of 
the  plants  was  incorrect.     Gordon  says :    "  Branches  as- 
cending, or  spreading,  but  sometimes  on  old  trees  droop- 
ing."    It  is  a  Peruvian  species,  growing  about  60  feet  in 
height,  and  found  on  the  mountains. 


404  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

Var.  densifolia,  Kunih. — Differs  in  having  shorter  and 
more  dense  foliage  than  the  species,  but  in  all  other  re- 
spects very  much  like  it. 

41,  P,  thCYCtiaefolia,  Blume. — Grows  about  40  or  50 
feet  in  height,  and  was  introduced  from  New  Guinea.     It 
has  flat,  leathery,  very  straight,  sessile  leaves,  and  forked, 
straggling  branches. 

42,  P,  Thunbergii,  Hooker. — Another  tender,  yet  beau- 
tiful species  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.     Tree  of  large 
size,  with  broad,  leathery  leaves. 

43,  P.  Totara,  Don. — The  P.  pungens  of  Van  Houtte's 
Catalogue,  and   is   a  native  of   the  northern  island  of 
New  Zealand,  growing  80  or  90  and  even  100  feet  high. 
It  is  considered  one  of  the  finest  timber  trees  in  its  native 
country,  and  has  great  durability. 


31.— DACRIDIUM,    Solander. 

This  genus  is  composed  of  six  species,  with  dioecious 
flowers,  and  erect,  drupaceous  fruit,  very  much  like  that 
belonging  to  the  Taxus.  Leaves  opposite,  needle-shaped, 
or  scale-formed.  The  origin  of  the  name  is  on  account  of 
the  resinous  exudation,  and  is  derived  from  "  daJcru" 
signifying  a  tear. 

'  !•  D,  (  oleilSOi,  Hooker. — Is  a  new  and  very  beautiful 
species  from  New  Zealand,  growing  50  feet  in  height,  and 
producing  hard  and  incorruptible  timber. 

2,    D,  cupressiforme,  Garriere. — Origin  uncertain,  but 


THE    YEW    SUB-FAMILY.  405 

said  to  grow  on  the  mountains  of  New  Zealand,  where  it 
forms  a  dense  bush. 

3.  D.  cupressinum,  Solander. — Is  from  New  Zealand 
also,  growing  on  the  mountains  and  reaching  the  immense 
height  of  200  feet.     This  magnificent  tree  has  long,  droop- 
ing branches,  and  small,  scale-like  leaves,  resembling  a 
Lycopodium. 

4.  D.  Ha  I  mil,  Wallich. — Has  been  described  as  a  Juni- 
per by  several  authors.     It  comes  from  the  East  Indies, 
where  it  forms  a  large  tree  with  numerous   branches, 
densely  covered  with  leaves. 

5.  D,  Franklinii,  Hooker. — HUON  PINE. — This  is  per- 
haps one  of  the  most  desirable  Conifers  for  pot-culture, 
when  properly  cared  for  and  trained.     Having  had  it  in 
our  collection  for  several  years,  we  can  bear  testimony  to 
its  exceeding  gracefulness  and  general  beauty.     It  is  a  na- 
tive of  Van  Dieman's  Land,  where  it  grows  to  the  height 
of  100  feet, 

6.  D.  laxifolium,  Hooker. — Comes  from  the  mountains 
of  New  Zealand  likewise.     It  is  there  a  prostrate,  creep- 
ing shrub,  and  is  described  as  being  very  graceful  and 
slender  in  growth ;   and  is  also,  like  the  preceding  species, 
tolerably  hardy  in  England,  which  is  a  sure  indication  of 
its  succeeding  in  our  Southern  States. 


32.— SALISBURIA,  Smith.— GINKGO. 

Flowers  dioecious  and  pedunculate.  Sterile  aments, 
filiform  and  axillary.  Anther-cells  pendulous  from  the 
lacerated,  scale-like,  connection.  Fertile  flowers,  solitary, 
and  in  terminal  fascicles,  with  the  ovule,  solitary  and 


406  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

erect.  Fruit,  drupe-like,  standing  in  the  fleshy  disk,  which 
covers  the  base.  Cotyledons,  2.  Leaves  deciduous,  pli- 
ca tely-involute  in  the  bud,  fan-shaped,  long-petioled,  and 
marked  with  longitudinal  nerves. 

This  curious,  yet  beautiful  genus  consists  of  a  single 
species,  which  is  a  native  of  Japan  and  portions  of  China. 
It  was  dedicated  by  Smith  to  Anthony  Salisbury,  an  Eng- 
lish botanist  of  distinction,  although  first  described  and 
named  by  Linnaeus  as  G-irikgo  biloba. 

S.  adiantifolia,  Smith. — MAIDEN-HAIR  TREE. — Leaves 
fan-shaped  or  wedge-shaped,  very  broad,  and  incised  at 
the  apex,  thick,  coriaceous,  more  or  less  fasciculate  on  the 
adult  branches,  but  distant  and  scattered  on  the  young 
shoots,  pale  green  color.  Branches,  sometimes  straggling, 
mostly  ascending  or  horizontal.  Fruit,  globular  or  ovate, 
one  inch  in  diameter,  on  long,  slender  peduncles. 

The  Ginkgo  has  always  appeared  to  us  an  anomaly, 
differing  from  all  other  trees  in  several  particulars.  The 
leaves  remind  one  of  a  large  Adiantum-like  tree-fern ;  and 
the  veining  is  more  like  that  of  the  monocotyledonous, 
than  the  dicotyledonous  class  to  which  it  belongs.  The 
wood,  being  entirely  devoid  of  resin,  is  very  apt  to  mis- 
lead the  student.  The  fruit,  however,  which  in  almost 
every  instance  forms  the  best  criterion,  in  this  case  plainly 
points  out  its  true  character. 

This  tree  is  a  native  of  Japan  and  China,  and  is  quite 
abundant  in  some  provinces,  growing  to  the  height  of  from 
40  to  80  feet,  and  in  particular  situations  100  feet  high, 
with  the  trunks  from  6  to  12  feet  in  diameter.  There  is  a 
vast  difference  in  the  form  of  the  tree ;  those  propagated 
from  layers  or  cuttings  are  almost  invariably  crooked, 
whilst  seedlings  are  generally  straight,  and  present  an 
evenly  balanced  and  conical  head.  In  either  case,  how- 
ever, it  is  very  quick-growing,  and  speedily  forms  a  tree. 

The  Salisburia  has  long  been  a  favorite  with  us,  and  we 
can  heartily  endorse  the  following  remarks  by  one  who 


THE    YEW    SUB-FAMILY.  407 

made  the  subject  of  trees  and  plants  his  favorite  study, 
and  whom  we  may  all  desire  to  emulate  in  our  apprecia- 
ciation  of  Nature's  works.  "  The  Ginkgo  Tree,"  says  the 


Fig.  65.— SALISBURIA  ADIANTIFOL1A,   HALF   THE  NATURAL,  SIZE. 

lamented  Downing,  "  is  so  great  a  botanical  curiosity,  and 
is  so  singularly  beautiful  when  clad  with  its  fern-like  fo- 
liage, that  it  is  strikingly  adapted  to  add  ornament  and 


408  THE   BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

interest  to  the  pleasure-ground.  As  the  foliage  is  of  that 
kind  which  must  be  viewed  near  by  to  understand  its  pe- 
culiarity, and  as  the  form  and  outline  of  the  tree  are  pleas- 
ing and  harmonize  well  with  buildings,  we  would  recom- 
mend that  it  be  planted  near  the  house,  where  its  unique 
character  can  be  readily  seen  and  appreciated." 

It  was  first  introduced  into  this  country  in  the  year 
1784,  by  Alexander  Hamilton,  Esq.,  of  the  Woodlands, 
(of  latter  years  a  charming  rural  cemetery),  near  Phila- 
delphia. These  fine  old  specimens  are  yet  standing,  and 
form  one  of  the  most  attractive  objects  in  that  beautiful 
"  city  of  the  dead,"  which  was  once  the  arboretum  that 
bore  the  present  appropriate  title.  Other  fine  specimens 
are  at  Boston,  at  the  old  Bartram  Garden  near  Phila- 
delphia, and  at  Peirce's  Park  near  West  Chester,  Pa.  A 
specimen  of  this  tree  in  the  Botanical  Garden  of  Pisa  is 
75  feet  high  and  3  feet  in  diameter. 

In  regard  to  the  rapid  growth  of  this  species,  Ave  give 
the  following  account  of  a  specimen  growing  near  Mont- 
pellier,  taken  from  the  Gardener's  Chronicle :  "  In  the  year 
1788,  Broussonet,  who  was  then  in  London,  sent  to  Prof. 
Gouan.  of  Montpellier,  a  plant  of  this  species,  for  which  he 
was  indebted  to  Sir  Joseph  Banks.  In  1812,  twenty-four 
years  after  being  planted,  the  tree  flowered.  At  that 
time  it  was  9-J-  yards  high.  In  June,  1835,  it  was  rather 
more  than  17^-  yards  high.  On  Dec.  7th,  1853,  its  stature 
was  determined  by  careful  measurement  to  be  19f  yards, 
or  a  trifle  more.  From  this  it  appears  that  it  lengthened 
on  an  average  not  quite  a  foot  annually ;  but  it  in  reality 
grew  nearly  three  times  as  fast  in  the  first  47  years,  as  in 
the  last  18." 

It  has  proven  quite  hardy  throughout  the  Middle  States, 
excepting  perhaps  in  the  more  northern  parts  of  New 
York  and  Pennsylvania.  A  fine  specimen  is  mentioned 
by  Prof.  Bunge,  who  accompanied  the  Russian  mission  to 
Pekin,  that  was  near  40  feet  in  circumference,  and  of  pro- 


THE    YEW    SUB-FAMILY.  409 

digious  height.     It  was  standing  near  a  pagoda,  and  ap- 
peared to  be  in  full  vigor. 

Var,  macropfaylla,  Hort. — Is  also  known  as  var.  lacini- 
ata,  Carriere,  and  is  but  little  different  from  the  true  form. 
The  leaves  are  larger,  more  numerously  divided,  and 
jagged  on  the  edges. 

Var i  varicgata?  Carriere. — Considered  by  some  as 
striking,  on  account  of  the  golden  yellow  stripes  on  the 
foiiage.  We,  however,  prefer  the  beautiful  green  color 
that  is  natural  to  the  tree,  and  leave  this  variety  to  those 
who  prefer  to  have  the  foliage  disfigured. 

Cultivators  are  constantly  introducing  new  varieties, 
and  we  see  that  the  Salisburia  is  also  contributing  vari- 
eties to  the  general  list,  but  in  the  absence  of  any  positive 
information  we  shall  not  enumerate  them. 


33.— PHYI^OCXADUS,    Richard. 

Has  terminal,  clustered,  monoecious  flowers ;  and  small, 
solitary,  nut-like  seeds,  with  a  fleshy  disk  at  the  base, 
much  resembling  Taxus.  The  leaves  are  very  small  and 
scale-like,  and  the  branchlets  resemble  feathery,  pinnate 
leaves.  From  this  latter  peculiarity  the  genus  derives  its 
name.  All  the  species  are  tender. 

1.  P.  \l|Mii;i,  Hooker. — Is  a  small,  dense-growing  shrub 
from  New  Zealand,  etc. 

2.  P.  glauca.  Carriere. — Is  an  uncertain  species  with 
glaucous  leaves.     Origin  unknown. 

3.  P.  hypophylla,  Hooker. — A  large  tree  from  Borneo, 
of  which  little  is  known. 

18 


410  THE   BOOK   OF   EVEKGKEENS. 

4*  P.  rhomboidalis,  Richard. — Grows  on  the  mountains 
of  Tasmania,  and  forms  a  beautiful  tree  40  or  50  feet  in 
height. 

5,  P.  trichomanoides,  Don. — This  species,  the  largest 
of  the  genus,  is  from  New  Zealand,  where  it  attains  the 
height  of  60  or  70  feet,  and  is  a  very  handsome,  straight 
tree,  with  spreading  branches. 


34.— MICROCACHRYS,    Hooker. 

Flowers  monoecious,  terminal  flowers ;  cones  very  small 
cylindrical  strobiles,  with  imbricated,  ovate,  spreading 
scales.  It  derives  its  name  from  the  exceedingly  small 
cones. 

M.  tetragona,  Hooker. — This  species  forms  a  small  tree, 
with  very  numerous,  slender  branches,  and  very  small 
Dacridium-like  leaves. 

There  is  also  an  uncertain  genus  with  one  species,  found 
in  Van  Diemen's  Land,  which,  according  to  Gordon,  is  a 
tender,  evergreen  bush.  It  is  known  as  Pherosphmra 
Hookeriana,  Archer. 


35.— SAXE-GOTHJGA,   Lindley. 

Is  a  comparatively  new  genus,  with  monoecious  flowers, 
and  a  fleshy,  drupe-like  fruit.  The  leaves  are  mostly  dis- 
tichous, coriaceous,  and  bright  green  in  color.  It  was 
named  in  compliment  to  the  late  Prince  Albert  of  England. 


THE   YEW   SUB-FAMILY.  411 

Si  COHSpicuaj  Lindley. — Is  the  only  species  known,  and 
is  a  curious,  small  tree  from  the  mountains  of  Patagonia, 
frequently  growing  30  feet  high.  It  is  very  handsome, 
but  tender. 


36.— N  AGE  I  A,    Gartner. 

This  genus  has  either  monoecious  or  dioecious  flowers, 
and  globular,  drupaceous  fruit.  The  name  is  from  the 
Japanese  appellation  of  No,,  or  N"agi,  meaning  Catkin- 
bearing.  These  six  species,  all  of  which  are  tender,  are 
merely  enumerated  here. 

1.  N,  Blumei,  Gordon.— -Is  a  tree  70  or  80  feet  in 
height,  growing  on  the  mountains  of  Java. 

2«  Ni  Ciispidata,  Gordon. — Is  quite  a  small  tree  from 
Jezo,  in  Japan. 

3.  IV,  graildi  flora,  Gordon. — Is  supposed  to  be  a  native 
of  China  and  Japan,  but  little  known. 

4.  N.  Japonica,    Gcertner. — Is  very  frequent  on  the 
Japanese  mountains,  where  it  forms  a  large-sized  tree.     A 
beautiful  variegated  form  of  this  species  has  been  sent  to 
England  by  Fortune. 

5.  N.   latifolia,    Gordon. — Is  from  20  to  30  feet  in 
height,  and  comes  from  the  mountains  in  Eastern  Bengal. 

6t  N.  OVata,  Gordon. — Is  from  Yeddo,  Japan,  forming 
a  large  shrujb  or  small  tree,  and  but  very  recently  intro- 
duced into  England.  There  is  also  a  very  pretty  vari- 
egated form  of  it,  sent  over  at  the  same  time  by  the 
indefatigable  collector,  Fortune. 


412  THE   BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

VE1TCIHA,    Lindley. 

A  new  genus  named  in  honor  of  its  discoverer,  Mr.  J 
G.  Veitch ;  its  real  position  in  the  family  being  as  yet  un- 
settled, we  place  it  here.  There  is  but  one  species,  of 
which  we  append  Dr.  Lindley's  account,  as  published  in 
the  Gardener's  Chronicle. 

Veitchia  Japonic  a,  Lindley. — "  Of  this  extraordinary 
plant  only  two  mutilated  cones,  a  few  seeds,  and  a  small 
branch  have  been  received ;  but  they  suffice  to  show  that 
it  is  a  wholly  new  form  in  the  coniferous  order,  with  the 
seeds  of  ChamaBcy  pails,  the  leaves  of  an  Abies,  and  cones 
which  become,  when  ripe,  more  like  spherical  honeycombs 
than  anything  else  to  which  we  can  compare  them.  One 
would  fancy  the  plant  to  represent  an  Abies,  permanently 
assuming  in  the  cone  the  monstrous  form  so  often  given 
to  the  common  Spruce  by  the  attack  of  insects,  and  then 
struggling  onwards  to  become  a  Scyadopitys,  or  a  Crypto- 
meria. 

The  branches  are  short,  and  covered  with  spirally  ar- 
ranged, projecting,  curled  pulvines,  resembling  those  of 
Abies  Menziesii.  At  the  base  of  each  branchlet  is  a 
small  cup  formed  of  recurved  scales,  from  which  the 
branchlet  emerged  when  young.  The  leaves  are  -J-  inch 
long,  linear,  blunt,  and  glaucous  beneath.  The  cones  are 
erect,  downy,  nearly  spherical,  about  1  inch  in  diameter ;  be- 
fore ripening,  furnished  with  incurved,  horn-like,  project- 
ing, bracteal  scales,  which,  at  maturity,  break  and  disclose 
as  many  four-sided  sockets  or  cavities,  within  which  lodge 
a  (to  us  uncertain)  number  of  small,  two-winged  seeds,  ter- 
minated by  a  pair  of  short,  straight,  tooth-like  processes." 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

NOTICES    OF    COLLECTIONS    OF    CONIFERS. 


"  Give  fools  their  gold,  and  knaves  their  power, 

Let  fortune's  bubbles  rise  and  fall ; 
Who  sows  a  field,  or  trains  a  flower, 
Or  plants  a  tree,  is  more  than  all." — J.  G.  WMUier. 

We  think  it  advisable  to  introduce  notices  of  some  of 
the  best  collections  of  Coniferse  in  this  country.  With  re- 
gard to  plantations  of  these  trees,  we  are  vastly  behind 
our  transatlantic  brethren;  for  whilst  they  boast  of  their 
extensive  pinetums  and  costly  collections  of  Conifers,  onr 
ambition,  as  a  general  thing,  lias  been  satisfied  with  a  small 
lawn,  enriched  with  a  few  choice  trees.  But  for  the  ex- 
cellent little  gardens  of  Bartram,  Marshall,  the  Peirces,  and 
one  or  two  in  the  Eastern  States,  America  has  had  nothing 
to  boast  of  in  this  respect. 

Since  the  commencement  of  this  work  we  have  been 
agreeably  surprised  to  find  this  family  of  plants  becoming 
popular;  and  an  interest  has  been  a\vakened  through  the 
influence  of  a  few  true  lovers  of  the  beautiful,  who  have 
taken  the  lead  in  this  good  work.  The  indications  now 
are  that  America  will,  at  no  distant  day,  be  celebrated  for 
her  interest  in  arboriculture,  as  well  as  for  her  fine  collec- 
tions of  trees.  Even  now  we  are  having  parks  planned  as 
in  New  York,  and  botanical  gardens  laid  out  as  at  St. 
Louis,  affording  examples  which  are  certain  to  be  follow- 
ed. Once  make  a  commencement  in  any  good  work,  and 
other  important  results  are  always  sure  to  follow. 
413 


414  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

It  is  highly  proper  that  the  following  descriptions 
should  commence  with  the  first  botanical  garden  estab- 
lished on  this  continent.  On  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill, 
below  Philadelphia,  in  a  quiet,  secluded  spot,  that  pioneer 
of  American  botany,  John  Bartram,  laid  the  foundation 
of  his  garden,  which,  among  scientific  men,  of  all  countries, 
has  been  the  Mecca  of  their  pilgrimage  when  visiting  our 
shores.  Simple,  plain,  and  unpretending  in  character, 
devoid  of  all  the  embellishments  of  art,  and  the  extrava- 
gant systems  of  the  old  world,  this  beautiful  rural  spot, 
owing  to  the  care  of  its  succeeding  owners,  has  been 
handed  down  to  us  in  almost  its  original  form. 

The  Bartram  Botanic  Garden  was  established  in  or  about 
the  year  1730.  Its  founder,  John  Bartram,  about  this 
time  commenced  forming  that  collection,  which,  taking 
into  consideration  the  slender  means  at  his  disposal,  and 
the  comparatively  meagre  knowledge  of  the  age  in  which 
he  lived,  culminated  in  a  truly  marvellous  work.  The 
Conifera)  known  at  that  period  are  well  represented  in  the 
truly  magnificent  specimens  yet  to  be  seen  in  this  collec- 
tion. To  the  sizes  of  most  of  these  trees,  we  are  indebted 
to  that  interesting  little  work  "  The  American  Hand-book 
of  Ornamental  Trees,"  by  Thomas  Meehan.  As  the  ma- 
jority of  the  Conifers  here  consist  of  the  older  well-known 
species,  we  shall  merely  call  attention  to  such  as  are  re- 
markable for  size  and  vigor. 

The  best  specimen  of  the  Hemlock  Spruce,  Abies  Cana- 
densis,  is  about  94  feet  high,  and  8  feet  4  inches  in  circum- 
ference. A  fine  tree  of  the  Norway  Spruce,  Abies  excelsa, 
is  120  feet  high,  and  7  feet  2  inches  in  circumference ;  it  is 
beautifully  formed,  and  regularly  furnished  with  drooping 
branches  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  ground.  A 
specimen  of  the  White  Cedar,  Cupressus  thyoides,  al- 
though growing  in  a  rather  dry  situation,  is  here  20  feet 
high.  One  of  the  finest  plants  of  the  Common  Juniper, 
Juniperus  communis,  in  cultivation,  is  to  be  seen  at  this 


NOTICES   OF   COLLECTIONS   OP   CONIFERS.  415 

place.  It  is  growing  in  a  perfectly  natural  manner,  with- 
out any  pruning  or  cultivation  whatever,  and  is  now  about 
35  feet  high  and  2|-  feet  in  circumference.  The  European 
Larch,  Larix  Europea,  and  the  American  Larch,  Larix 
Americana,  are  well  represented  by  excellent  specimens. 
The  best  of  the  former  is  now  108  feet  high  and  5  feet  4 
inches  in  circumference ;  whilst  the  latter,  although  com- 
paratively young,  is  40  feet  high  and  2f  feet  in  circum- 
ference. 

Among  the  Pines  is  a  very  good  Jersey  Pine,  P.  inops, 
62  feet  high  and  3  feet  in  circumference.  The  Northern 
Yellow  Pine,  P.  mitis,  is  90  feet  high  and  4  feet  8  inches 
in  circumference.  Pitch  Pine,  P.  rigida,  although  grow- 
ing in  a  rocky  situation  with  very  little  earth,  is  now 
about  54  feet  high  and  4J  feet  in  circumference.  The  best 
White  Pine,  P.  Strobus,  a  glorious  tree,  by  the  way,  is  118 
feet  high  and  7£  feet  in  circumference.  The  Scotch  Pine, 
P.  sylvestris,  is  about  35  feet  high  and  3  feet  in  circum- 
ference. A  very  good  specimen  of  the  Maiden-Hair  Tree, 
or  Japan  Ginkgo,  Salisburia  adiantifolia,  is  to  be  seen  in 
this  collection ;  and,  although  perhaps  somewhat  inferior 
to  the  old  Hamilton  trees,  is  61  feet  high  and  3  feet  8 
inches  in  circumference.  The  Deciduous  Cypress,  Taxo- 
dium  distichum,  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  features  in 
these  gardens,  being  about  125  feet  high  and  20  feet  in  cir- 
cumference. The  best  American  Arbor  Vita3,  Thuja  oc- 
cidentalis,  is  52  feet  high,  and  3  feet  10  inches  in  circum- 
ference; whilst  the  finest  plant  of  the  Chinese  Arbor 
Vita3,  Biota  Orientalis,  is  25  feet  high  and  3  feet  in  cir- 
cumference. The  Bartram  collection  also  embraces  many 
splendid  specimens  of  deciduous  trees. 

The  second  botanical  garden  in  this  country  was  located 
at  Marshallton,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  in  the  year  1773. 
Humphrey  Marshall,  the  proprietor  of  these  grounds,  was 
a  cousin  to  John  Bartram ;  and  to  his  association  and  cor- 
respondence with  his  talented  relative  may  possibly  be  at- 


416  THE    BOOK    OF   EYEKGREENS. 

tributed  Marshall's  love  for  botany,  as  the  latter  did  not 
commence  planting  his  garden  until  he  was  51  years  of 
age.  Previous  to  this,  however,  he  had  become  quite 
celebrated  as  a  collector  of  seeds  and  young  plants  for 
European  botanists. 

These  grounds  are  at  the  present  time  sadly  neglected, 
and  but  a  few  of  the  original  trees  remain;  yet  they 
remind  the  visitor  of  that  deep-seated  love  for  nature, 
which,  amidst  all  the  difficulties  attending  a  pioneer  in  sci- 
ence, influenced  his  declining  years.  Here  lived  and  died 
the  first  American  author  on  trees  and  plants,  a  self- 
made,  self-educated  man. 

These  grounds  at  the  present  time  contain  so  few  speci- 
mens of  the  Conifers,  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  enumer- 
ate them  here.  A  few  of  the  commoner  species  of  Pines 
and  Firs  are  all  that  now  remain ;  and  in  a  few  short 
years  these  too  will,  in  all  probability,  be  cut  for  fuel,  as 
this  appears  to  be  all  the  value  our  country  friends  see  in 
them. 

About  the  year  1800  two  brothers,  Joshua  and  Samuel 
Peirce,  residing  a  few  miles  south-west  of  West  Chester, 
Pa.,  commenced  their  collection  of  trees,  consisting  prin- 
cipally of  the  well-known  Conifers.  They  "were  mostly 
planted  in  a  double  avenue,  extending  some  distance  from 
their  dwelling  to  a  beautiful  small  lake  at  the  rear  of  the 
premises.  After  a  lapse  of  sixty-seven  years,  these  trees 
have  grown  to  an  immense  size,  and  present  the  most  im- 
posing sight  imaginable.  This  little  select  arboretum  is, 
as  Dr.  Darlington  has  recorded,  "  certainly  unrivalled  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  probably  not  surpassed  in  these  United 
States."  A  few  years  since  there  appeared  in  the  Horti- 
culturist a  series  of  articles,  entitled,  "  The  Parks  and 
Pleasure  Grounds  of  Pennsylvania,"  written  by  a  talented 
correspondent  signed  "2?."  One  of  these  contributions 
was  devoted  to  a  description  of  Peirce's  Park,  and  in  it 


NOTICES   OF   COLLECTIONS    OF   CONIFERS.  417 

the  writer  speaks  most  eloquently  of  the  pines  and  firs  em- 
braced therein. 

One  of  the  oldest  private  arboretums  in  this  country 
that  has  been  enriched  with  the  introductions  of  latter 
years,  is  the  fine  collection  planted  by  the  late  John  Evans, 
in  Radnor  Township,  Delaware  Co.,  Pa.  This  place,  al- 
though unadorned  by  any  artificial  arrangements,  and  ex- 
ecuted with  a  total  disregard  of  the  rules  of  landscape- 
gardening,  is,  notwithstanding,  one  of  the  most  picturesque 
and  natural  spots  we  have  ever  beheld.  The  hilly  slope 
is  ornamented  by  masses  and  solitary  specimens  of  Coni- 
fers ;  the  drooping  branches  of  the  Douglas'  Spruce  being 
relieved  by  the  rigid  form  of  almost  innumerable  pines, 
whilst  the  dark  sombre  hue  of  the  former  contrasts  charm- 
ingly with  the  lighter  verdure  of  the  latter. 

Along  the  little  valleys  and  bordering  the  streams,  are 
placed  Hemlocks  and  Pichta  Fir,  with  numerous  other 
Conifers  that  prefer  a  moist  locality ;  and  in  the  sheltered 
nooks  and  warmer  corners,  the  rare  and  doubtful  Cunning- 
hamias  and  Cryptomerias  grow  with  vigor.  In  this  col- 
lection we  would  enumerate  as  being  particularly  fine,  one 
of  the  best  specimens  of  the  Abies  Douglasii  to  be  found 
in  the  Eastern  States.  It  is  now  about  25  feet  high,  and, 
with  one  exception,  when  the  leading  shoot  was  destroyed, 
this  tree  has  grown  as  luxuriantly  as  its  brethren  on  the 
Pacific  coast.  The  richness  of  the  foliage,  the  play  of 
light  and  shadow  as  the  branches  wave  and  tremble  in 
the  passing  breeze,  the  graceful  pendent  boughs,  and  the 
unusually  majestic  appearance  of  the  tree,  cannot  but 
excite  admiration. 

Another  excellent  plant  in  this  collection,  and  doubt- 
less the  best  in  the  States,  is  a  large  Abies  Pichta 
about  15  feet  high.  This  specimen  is  regularly  conical  in 
form,  and  as  dense  and  compact  as  any  Conifer  we  have 
ever  seen.  The  color  of  the  foliage  is  of  that  peculiar  hue 
which,  seen  in  a  strong  light,  displays  a  rich  glaucousness ; 
18* 


418  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGEEENS. 

but  when  thrown  into  shadow,  becomes  the  darkest  shade 
of  green.  The  Cunninghamia  Sinensis  is  10  feet  high, 
and  to  all  present  appearances,  will  prove  hardy. 

The  Cryptomerias  at  this  place  are  perhaps  15  feet  in 
height,  but  are  lacking  in  denseness,  which  detracts  from 
their  otherwise  luxuriant  appearance.  An  old  tree  of  the 
Pinus  Lambertiana,  now  25  or  30  feet  in  height,  has  for 
several  years  been  perfecting  its  fruit  on  these  grounds, 
and  is  one  of  the  attractions  of  the  collection.  In  a  low, 
moist  piece  of  ground,  a  fine  large  Glyptostrobus  penduhis 
is  luxuriating,  and  is  entirely  hardy  and  remarkably 
beautiful. 

At  Wodenethe  is  the  beautiful  and  well-preserved  collec- 
tion of  Henry  Winthrop  Sargent,  Esq.,  situated  on  the 
Hudson  at  Fishkill  Landing,  opposite  Newburgh,  N".  Y. 
As  this  arboretum  has  now  become  so  justly  celebrated 
throughout  our  country  as  a  model  place,  and  been  so  fre- 
quently described  in  the  various  horticultural  periodicals, 
it  seems  almost  superfluous  in  us  to  go  over  the  same 
ground  here.  Yet  during  a  recent  visit  to  the  place  we 
were  so  deeply  interested  and  instructed  in  viewing  the 
many  new  and  to  us  strange  introductions,  that  we  notice 
some  of  them. 

Near  the  mansion  are  two  very  handsome  specimens  of 
the  Araucaria  imbricata,  grown  in  boxes.  These  had  at- 
tained the  height  of  5  or  6  feet,  and  were  perfect  examples 
of  this  species  in  a  young  state.  Near  these  we  noticed 
a  remarkable  variety  of  the  Hemlock  Spruce,  of  dwarfish 
habit,  with  long,  drooping  branchlets,  and  altogether  quite 
unique  in  character.  This  plant  was  found  growing  on 
the  mountains  near  by.  In  a  beautiful  spot,  formed  by  an 
opening  in  the  original  growth  of  trees,  we  were  intro- 
duced to  a  recent  plantation  of  novelties,  amongst  which 
were  an  Abies  Pinsapo,  7  feet  in  height ;  several  fine  plants 
of  Cephalotaxus  drupacea ;  Cupressus  Nutkaemis,  and 
C.  Lawsoniana  ;  Sequoia  gigantea,  etc.,  etc.  A  number 


NOTICES    OF   COLLECTIONS    OF    CONIFERS.  419 

of  Golden  Yews  near  by,  many  of  which  were  6  or  7  feet 
in  height,  were  exceedingly  attractive  and  handsome. 

The  new  Golden  Larch,  Pseudolarix  Kcempferi,  a  fine 
long-leaved  species,  we  here  saw  for  the  first  time.  Its 
peculiar  golden  tint  and  rapid  growth  will  entitle  it  to 
favor,  should  it  prove  in  the  future  as  hardy  as  we  confi- 
dently believe  it  will.  Among  the  Firs  and  Spruces  were 
very  many  excellent  specimens,  doubtless  unexcelled  in 
the  country :  Abies  JVbrdmanniana,  7  feet  high ;  one  speci- 
men of  A.  Cephalonica,  20  feet,  and  another,  10  or  12 
feet ;  Abies  Menziesii,  10  feet ;  A.  Orientalis,  7  feet ; 
beautiful  specimens  of  Abies  Douglasii;  and  quite  a  num- 
ber of  dwarf  varieties  of  Spruces.  Among  the  Pines 
were  Pimis  Cembra,  10  or  12  feet ;  P.  ponderosa,  40  or  50 
feet,  and  perhaps  the  best  specimen  in  cultivation ;  as  well 
as  excellent  plants  of  P.  sylvestris  variegata,  P.  Lambert- 
iana,  P.  Gerardiana,  etc. 

Our  attention  was  particularly  attracted  to  a  collection 
of  tender  Conifers  grown  in  boxes,  and  sunken  in  the 
ground,  the  most  noticeable  of  which  were  Araucaria  ex- 
celsa,  and  A.  Cunninghamia,  with  Cunninghamia  Bra- 
ziliensis,  etc.,  all  probably  10  or.  12  feet  in  height.  The 
large  number  of  variegated  and  erect  Yews,  that  were 
scattered  through  various  parts  of  the  grounds,  added 
greatly  to  the  interest  of  the  collection.  The  newer 
Japan  Coniferae,  especially  Thuiopsis  dolabrata,  and  its 
variegated  variety,  were  well  represented  here. 

The  best  commercial  collection  is  undoubtedly  that  of 
Parsons  &  Co.,  at  Flushing,  L.  I,  where  may  be  seen 
specimens  of  almost  every  Conifer  that  will  endure  our 
climate ;  and  as  it  is  annually  enriched  with  the  newer  in- 
troductions as  soon  as  brought  to  notice,  the  visitor  is  al- 
ways amply  repaid  by  a  walk  through  these  grounds.  The 
magnificent  collection  of  Rhododendrons  and  other  plants 
also  adds  greatly  to  its  attractions.  These  nurseries  are 
particularly  rich  in  the  many  new  dwarf  varieties  that  are 


420  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

constantly  being  produced  abroad ;  and  as  the  greater 
part  are  as  yet  scarce  and  almost  unknown  in  our  private 
collections,  we  will  note  a  few  of  the  finest  and  most  dis- 
tinct:  Juniperus  communis,  var.  Siiecica  nana;  J.  c, 
var.  Hibernica  compressa  ;  Abies  excelsa,  var.  pumila  ; 
A.  e.,  var  pygmcea  ;  A.e.^var  Gregoriana  •  A.  e.,  var. 
Clanbrasiliana  •  Thuja  Occident  alls,  var.  minima;  Ju- 
niperus prostrata,  var.  Americana;  Biota  Orientalis, 
var pygmaea /  Pinus  Strobus,  var.  nana /  Abies  Cana- 
densis,  var.  pumila  (of  Parsons)  ;  Pinus  Strobus,  var. 
pumila;  etc.,  etc.  When  gathered  together  in  clumps, 
these  pretty  miniature  evergreens  are  very  attractive. 

The  new  and  rare  Pseudolarix  Kcempferi  is  well  rep- 
resented here  by  perhaps  the  finest  specimen  in  the  coun- 
try. It  is  now  about  8  feet  high,  and  very  healthy.  A 
Picea  Nordmanniana  is  at  least  10  feet  high,  and  com- 
bines all  the  requisites  we  could  desire  in  an  ornamental 
tree.  Two  very  fine  young  trees  of  the  Picea  Cephalonica 
present  abundant  evidence  of  their  adaptation  to  our  cli- 
mate, and  are  15  feet  in  height.  A  beautiful  Taxus  bac- 
cata,  var.  erecta,  is  about  8  feet  high,  and  attracts  consid- 
erable attention,  not  only  for  its  rich,  dark  green  foliage, 
but  for  its  healthy  growth,  peculiar  form,  and  entire  hard- 
iness. Excellent  specimens  of  Abies  (Picea)  grandis  are 
growing  here  in  a  high  state  of  perfection,  and  are  proba- 
bly the  finest  in  the  States.  The  numerous,  and,  in  many 
instances,  grotesque  varieties  of  Abies  excelsa,  are  quite  in- 
teresting from  their  contorted  and  curious  forms  and  man- 
ner of  growth.  An  excellent  example  of  the  new  species, 
Abies  (Picea]  Cilioica,  is  here,  very  distinct  from  the 
Common  Silver  Fir.  A  striking,  and  rather  odd-looking 
plant,  we  found  during  a  recent  visit  in  the  variegated 
form  of  Cupressus  thyoides,  which  was  perfectly  healthy, 
and  about  8  feet  high. 

Biota  Orientalis,  var.  gracilis,  is  at  this  place  remarka- 
bly fine  and  distinct.     Superb  trees  of  Abies  Menziesii 


NOTICES    OF    COLLECTIONS    OF    CONIFEES.  421 

and  Pinus  Cembra,  are  well  represented  in  the  collection  ; 
the  former  about  15  feet,  and  the  latter  10  feet  in  height. 
But  the  crowning  feature  of  the  whole  place,  in  our  eyes, 
is  the  beautiful  specimens  of  Cupre&sus  Lawsoniana,  the 
best  of  which  are  perhaps  12  feet  or  more  in  height,  and 
perfect  in  outline.  We  understand  they  are  hardy  in  this 
vicinity. 

The   largest   and    best   collection    of   Conifers   in   the 

O 

Eastern  States  is  doubtless  to  be  found  at  Wellesley,  near 
Boston,  Mass.,  the  beautiful  grounds  of  H.  H.  Hunnewell, 
Esq. ;  and  although  of  comparatively  recent  formation, 
they  present  one  of  the  finest  examples  of  modern  land- 
scape gardening  to  be  found  in  the  country.  Here  may 
be  seen  long  avenues  of  the  hardy  old  species,  such  as 
White  Pine,  Larch,  Norway  Spruce,  and  that  charming 
species,  the  Bhotan  Pine,  (P.  excelsa). 

The  rarer  Conifers  are  well  represented  by  excellent 
specimens  of  such  kinds  as  Abies  JP-ichta,  A.  Nordman- 
niana,  A.  Cephalonica,  A.  Douglasii,  Cryptomeria  Ja- 
ponica,  and  Cupressus  Lawsonidna.  These  are  about  8  or 
10  feet  in  height.  There  are  also  good  plants,  although 
small,  of  many  other  species,  such  as  the  Pseudolarix 
JTcempferi,  various  Relinosporas,  Thuiopsis  dolabrata, 
etc.,  all  giving  promise  of  proving  valuable  here  under  the 
care  bestowed  upon  them.  The  proprietor  of  this  fine 
collection  has  already  prepared  a  suitable  portion  of 
ground  for  a  complete  pinetum  of  all  Conifers  that  will 
survive  our  winters,  the  first  of  the  kind  in  the  United 
States,  and  which  will  be  of  immense  advantage  to  the 
public  in  the  future. 

At  the  celebrated  Bloomsdale  Seed  Farm,  near  Phila- 
delphia, are  perhaps  as  fine  specimens  of  a  few  of  the  rarer 
Conifers  as  can  be  found  in  the  country,  particularly  of  the 
Abies  (Piced)  Cephalonica.  We  regret  not  having  the 
exact  sizes  of  some  of  the  trees.  Near  by,  at  the  Sher- 


422  THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 

wood  Nursery,  is  also  an  excellent  collection,  containing 
many  species  of  the  newer  kinds. 

At  Princeton,  N.  J.,  in  the  excellent  collection  of  R.  S. 
Field,  Esq.,  may  be  found  some  of  the  largest  and  best 
specimens  of  the  rarer  Conifers  to  be  seen  in  the  North- 
ern States.  The  planting  of  these  grounds  was  commenc- 
ed some  twenty  years  ago,  and  the  oldest  specimens  of 
Norway  Spruce,  White  Pine,  etc.,  have  already  attained 
the  height  of  fifty  feet.  The  greater  portion  of  these  hav- 
ing been  planted  along  the  northern  boundary  of  the 
premises,  now  present  an  impassable  barrier  to  the  cold 
winds  of  winter,  and  to  this  may  be  attributed  the  success 
with  many  of  the  half-hardy  plants  in  this  collection. 
The  proprietor  shows  a  well-deserved  partiality  for  the 
Norway  Spruce,  White  Pine,  European  Silver  Fir,  White 
Spruce,  and  American  Arbor  Yitse,  and  justly  deprecates 
the  doubtful  merits  of  the  Balsam  Fir. 

Among  the  rarer  trees  to  be  found  here  is  the  Cedar  of 
Lebanon,  (Cedrus  JLibani,)  the  largest  of  which  is  now 
about  forty  feet  in  height,  and  has  been  fruiting  for  several 
years.  This  interesting  specimen  is  frequently  injured 
slightly  by  the  winter,  but  not  sufficiently  so  to  impede 
its  growth. 

We  take  pleasure  in  recording  the  success  of  the  Prince- 
ton specimens  of  Plnus  excelsa,  for  notwithstanding  it 
seems  unwilling  to  thrive  in  many  localities,  its  success 
is  almost  certain  here,  in  spite  of  an  occasional  injury  to 
the  leading  shoots.  The  finest  plant  is  now  twenty  feet 
high,  and  beautifully  proportioned.  Other  Pines  are  not 
so  satisfactory,  although  receiving  as  much  care  and  at- 
tention. Most  of  the  rarer  kinds  from  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains and  westward  are  to  be  found  in  the  collection.  The 
Long-leaved,  or  Southern  Yellow  Pine  (P.  Australis)  is 
here,  apparently  at  home,  and  preserves  its  elegant  bright 
green  color ;  one  plant  is  fifteen  feet  high.  Pinus  Cembra 


NOTICES   OF   COLLECTIONS    OF   CONIFERS.  423 

is  also  quite  satisfactory,  notwithstanding  its  very  slow 
growth. 

Among  the  Spruces  are  the  finest  specimens  of  Abies 
Smithiana  to  be  found  in  the  country ;  and  although  oc- 
casionally suffering  during  the  winter,  they  have  made  a 
growth  of  over  ten  feet,  and  perfected  cones.  There  are 
likewise  fine  plants  of  A.  Menziesii,  A.  Orientalis,  as  well 
as  splendid  trees  of  the  White  Spruce,  (A.  alba).  A.  Doug- 
lasii  is  also  represented  by  an  excellent  specimen  fifteen 
feet  in  height. 

The  Silver  Firs  embrace  all  the  most  desirable  species, 
and  are  unusually  handsome,  especially  such  kinds  as  A. 
amabalis,  A.  Cephalonica,  A.  Fraseri  and  its  variety 
Hudsonica,  A.  nobilis,  A.  JPTordmanniana,  A.  grandis, 
A.  Pichta,  A.  Pinsapo,  and  A.  Pindrow,  some  of  which 
are  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  high.  A.  Cephalonica  and  A. 
Ptckta  perhaps  succeed  the  best  at  this  locality. 

The  Junipers  in  this  collection  are  elegant,  especially  the 
spreading  J.  squamata.  The  Cryptomerias  have  not  done 
very  well,  but  a  single  specimen  has  attained  the  height 
of  eighteen  feet,  and  is  very  beautiful.  In  a  sheltered  spot 
the  Gunninghamia  Sinensis  thrives  quite  satisfactorily, 
and  is  now  about  eleven  feet  high.  The  curious  weeping 
form  of  Biota  Orientalis  is  unusually  fine,  eleven  feet  in 
height. 

The  Yews  (Taxus)  are  also  well  represented  by  good 
plants  of  the  numerous  varieties  of  T.  baccata,  especially 
the  richly  colored  Golden  Yew.  Cupressus  Nutkaensis, 
frequently  miscalled  Thuiopsis  borealis,  is  ten  feet  in 
height  and  thirty-two  in  circumference,  and  perfectly 
hardy.  An  excellent  companion  to  the  above  is  the  C. 
Lawsoniana,  thirteen  feet  high  and  very  beautiful.  Se- 
quoia gigantea  has  failed  at  this  place,  as  at  all  other  lo- 
calities in  the  States.  Gedms  Deodara  has  also  proven 
uncertain. 

There  are  good  specimens  in  these  grounds  of  the  various 


424  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

species  and  varieties  of  Thuja,  Cephalotaxus,  Torreya,- 
etc.,  which  reflect  great  credit  on  the  indefatigable  owner. 
The  new  and  rare  Thuiopsis  dolabrata  and  its  handsome 
variegated-leaved  variety  have  succeeded  very  satisfac- 
torily ;  as  has  the  scarce  Umbrella-Pine  (Sciadopitys  ver- 
ticillata.) 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

CEMETERIES    AND    PARKS. 


There  is  no  reason  why  our  cemeteries  and  public  parks 
should  not  more  nearly  approximate  to  the  true  meaning 
of  the  term  Arboretum,  and  instead  of  a  large  number  of 
Norway  Spruce,  American  Arbor  Vitse,  and  Balsam  Fir, 
^all  very  well  to  a  certain  extent,  we  might  have  more  va- 
riety. It^  certainly  does  not  add  to  the  beauty  of  any 
lawn  to  have  any  one  species  so  greatly  predominant  as 
to  give  the  visitor  an  unpleasant  idea  of  sameness.  On 
the  contrary,  by  a  careful  selection,  containing  but  one  or 
perhaps  two  specimens  each,  of  a  distinct  kind,  judiciously 
disposed  throughout  the  grounds,  a  much  finer  effect  is 
produced,  and  a  double  purpose  answered, — simply  that 
of  Jesting  the  nature  and  hardiness  of  a  larger  number, 
and  thereby  affording  the  novice  what  he  most  needs 
for  his  own  lawn  or  door-yard. 

In  every  section  of  our  country  the  managers  of  these 
so-called  Rural  Cemeteries  appear  to  have  but  one  object 
in  view,  viz. :  Economy.  To  carry  this  out  to  the  letter  is 
their  highest  aim,  but  of  the  true  meaning  of  which  they 


CEMETERIES   AND   PARKS.  425 

seem  to  entertain  very  questionable  ideas.  Where  the 
purchasing  of  trees  at  a  low  figure,  without  any  appropri- 
ateness or  beauty  in  them,  approaches  economy,  is  beyond 
our  conception. 

Economy  can  just  as  readily  be  kept  in  view  by  the  pur- 
chaser when  procuring  a  well-selected  assortment  of  trees 
and  plants  from  a  responsible  establishment,  as  the  "  penny 
wise,  pound  foolish  "  policy  of  one  who  purchases  his  trees 
at  auction  for  a  mere  pittance.  In  the  first  instance  the 
owner  expects  all  his  trees  to  grow,  and  by  care  in  plant- 
ing is  very  rarely  disappointed.  The  latter  expects  the 
same  result,  is  disappointed,  and  he  usually  is  obliged, 
sooner  or  later,  to  adopt  the  course  pursued  by  his 
wiser  friend.  Trees  whose  first  cost  is  the  lowest  do 
not  always  prove  the  cheapest  in  the  end,  unless  every 
other  consideration  be  equal.  Let  all  who  live  in  the 
country  plant  good  trees  around  their  dwellings,  and  then 
take  care  of  them ;  as  much  depends  upon  the  after-man- 
agement, in  many  cases,  as  upon  the  original  condition  of  - 
the  tree  itself. 

A  few  Avords  of  advice  in  regard  to  selecting  suitable 
evergreens  for  permanent  value.  After  having  enumerat- 
ed and  described  so  long  a  list  as  the  foregoing  pages 
present,  the  uninitiated  reader  will  no  doubt  turn  away  in 
discouragement,  as  there  exists  such  a  diversity  of  opinion 
in  regard  to  the  adaptability  of  a  large  portion  >of  the 
really  beautiful  species,  which  cannot  be  regarded  as 
entirely  unobjectionable.  We  desire  to  impress  upon  ev- 
ery owner  of  a  rural  spot  who  is  about  commencing  to 
plant  for  the  first  time,  the  importance  of  selecting  only 
such  as  have  been  well  tested  and  are  satisfactory  beyond 
a  doubt.  Then,  as  a  knowledge  of  the  family  shall  be 
gained,  the  newer  and  promising  species  may  be  sparingly 
introduced.  No  greater  error  can  be  committed  than  for 
a  novice  to  select  a  list  of  trees  such  as  Cedrus  Deodara, 
Cryptomeria  Japonica^  Abies  Morinda,  Cimninghamia 


426  THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 

Sinensis,  etc.,  and  then  with  an  utter  disregard  of  proper 
situations  and  soil  set  them  out  in  a  slovenly  and  hasty 
manner,  in  the  full  expectation  of  having  them  thrive  like 
an  Ailanthus. 

To  this  class  ot  planters  we  say,  your  first  duty  is  to 
select  such  reliable  kinds  as  the  Norway  Spruce,  Hemlock 
Spruce,  American  Arbor  VitaB,  Austrian  Pine,  White 
Pine,  Scotch  Pine,  etc.,  adding,  as  inclination  tends,  a  few 
other  really  hardy  and  desirable  well-known  species. 

But,  at  all  events,  let  every  one  residing  out  of  our  cities 
plant  a  few  trees  at  least,  the  number  depending  upon  the 
space  desired  to  ornament — not  crowded  together,  nor  in 
straight  lines,  but  naturally  and  judiciously,  allowing 
glimpses  of  distant  views,  and  yet  a  portion  sufficiently  near 
the  residence  to  afford  a  refreshing  shade.  Clustered  in  the 
nooks  and  corners,  let  the  various  flowering  shrubs  perfect 
their  bloom  in  masses,  so  arranged  that  in  the  varied  tints 
an  added  charm  may  each  succeeding  day  be  seen  and  felt. 
Along  the  borders  of  the  Avalks,  place  neatly  executed 
beds  of  flowers,  few  and  plain,  yet  filled  with  choicest 
plants.  By  such  means  we  make  home  dearer  to  ourselves, 
and  weave  attractions  around  the  spot,  that  yield  a  fund 
of  pleasure  unsurpassed.  And  as  the  years  roll  on,  each 
plant  and  tree  therein  becomes  to  us  as  a  trusty  friend,  en- 
deared by  sweet  associations  of  the  past  and  bound  by 
recollections  of  the  care  bestowed  upon  its  younger 
growth. 


INDEX. 


155-156 

Ajanensis,  Lindl 170 

alba,  Michx 157 

nana,   Loud 160 

minima,  Knight 160 

glauca,  Phmibly 160 

Albertiana,  Murray 194 

Alcocquiana,  Lindl.  &  Veitch...\W 

amabalis,  Lindl 209 

Apollinis,  Link 196 

balsamea,  Marshall 197 

longifolia,  Booth 199 

variegata.  Knight 199 

balsamifera,  Michx 202 

bifida,  Sieb.  &  Zucc 178 

bracteata,  Hook 199 

Bridget,  Kellojjg 194 

Brunoniana,  L'indl 182 

Canadensis,  Michx 184 

microphylla,  Lindl 188 

nana,  Laivson 188 

Cedroidex,  Griffith 182 

Cedrus,  Poir .227 

Cephalonica,  Loud 201 

Cilicica,  Carnere 210 

Clanbrasiliana  stricta.  Laws 166 

communis  fruticosa,  Endl 166 

concolor,  *Hoopes 220 

decidua,  Wallich 182 

Douglasii,  Lindl 189 

fastisiata,  Knight 192 

Stanclishiana,  Gord 192 

taxifolia,  Loud 191 

dumosa,  Lamb 182 

Engelmanni,  Parry 177 

excelsa,  D.  C. 160 

attenuata,  Auct 166 

Carpatica,  Loud 164 

Clanbrasiliana,  Loud 164 

conica,  Keteleer 166 

denudata,  Hort 164 

clegans,  Loud 164 

eremita,  Knight 164 

Finedonensis,  Paul 164 

Gregoryana,  Paid 165 

inverta,  Smith 165 

microphylla,^  Auct 166 

miniata,  Knight 164 

monstrosa,  Loud 165 

mucronata,  Loud 165 

nigra,  Loud 165 

pendula,  Loud 165 

pygmaea,  Loud 165 

pyramidalis,  Hort 165 

stricta,  Loud 166 

427 


ABIES,  excclsa  temiifolia,  Loud 165 

variegata,  Loud 166 

virgota,  Jacq 164 

firma,  Sieb.  &  Zucc 178 

Fortuni,  Murray 218 

Fraseri,  Pursh 202 

Hudson  ica,  Knight 202 

gigantea.  Smith 165 

glauca,  Roezl 220 

glaucescens,  Roezl 220 

grandis,  Lindl 211 

lasiocarpa,  Hort 213 

Lowiana,  Gord 212 

Parsoniana,  Hwt 213 

heterophylla.  Raf 192 

hirtella,  Lindl 208 

Mrtetta,  Roezl 220 

liomolepis,  Sieb.  &  Zucc 178 

Hookeriana.  Murray 194 

Jezoensis,  Sieb.  &  Zucc 180 

Jezoeiisis,  Lindl 218 

Khutrow,  Loud 173 

lanceolata,  Pcrs 233 

lasiocarpa,  Lindl 209 

Lemoiniana,  Booth 165 

leptolepis,  Sieb 255 

major  Sinemis,  Pluk 233 

Menziesii,  Dougl 167 

Mertensiana,  Lindl 192 

Mertensiana,  Auct 194 

microsperma,  Lindl.  &  Vettch .  .180 

Momi,  Sieb 178 

Morinda,  Hort 173 

nigra,  Poir 169 

pumila.  Knight 170 

rubra,  Michx 170 

nigra,  Sill .  Journ 177 

nobilis,  Zmctf 203 

Nordmanniana,  Link 204 

obovata,  Loud 170 

oricntalis,  Poir 172 

Pattoniana,  Jeff 172 

pectinata,  D.  C. 205 

fastigiata,  Booth 207 

nana,  Knight 208 

pendula,  Godefroy 207 

pyramidalis,  Hort 207 

tortuosa,  Booth 207 

variegata,  Hort 207 

'    Jfoca,  Lindl 205 

Picea,  Michx 160 

Pichta,  Fisch 213 

longifolia,  Hort 214 

Pindrow,  Spach 2M 

Pinsapo,  Boiss 215 


428 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS, 


ABIES,  Pinsapo  variegata,  llort 216 

polita,  Sieb.  &  Zucc 181 

Eeginoe  Amalm,  Ileldr 196 

religiosa,  Lindl 208 

rubra,  Poir 170 

Schrenkiana,  Liucll 170 

/Sibirica,  Ledcb 213 

alba,  Fisch 214 

Smithiana.  Laud 173 

spectabilis,  Spach 216 

taxifolia,  Jeff. * .193 

Tlapalcatuda,  Roezl 220 

Tarano,  Sieb 181 

Tsuga,  Sieb.  &  Zucc 193 

nana,  Sieb 194 

Veitchii,  Lindl 219 

Webbiana,  Lindl 216 

Williamsonii,  Newb 194 

Wittmanniana,  Hartwess 170 

ABIETINE^E 14_70_74 

ACTINOSTROBUS,  Miguel 312 

pyramidalis,  Miguel 312 

Aphides? 60 

Aphis  juniperi 61 

AKAUCARIA,  Jitss 259 

Bidiwillii,  Hook 263 

Brasi  liana,  Eich 263 

gracilis,  Carriere 2(54 

Ridolfiana,  Savi 264 

Cookii,  Broivn. 264 

Cunninghami,  Ait 264 

glauca,  Ant 264 

longifolia,  Ant 264 

excelsa,  Broivn 265 

imbricata,  Pavon 260 

variegata,   Gord 263 

Rulei,  Mueller 265 

Arbor  Vitae,  American 315-317 

Chilian 308 

Chinese 329 

Eastern 329 

Gigantic 315 

Golden 331 

Nee's 320 

Oriental 329 

Plicate 320 

Siberian 319 

•f  Tartarian 338 

j:  Tom  Thumb 322 

-  -A Weeping 334 

^•Western 315 

ARTHROTAXIS,  Don 266 

cupressoides,  Don 266 

laxifolia,  Hook 266 

Belaginoides,  Don 266 

Aspidotus  pinifolia 61 

Bar  tram  Botanic  Garden 414 

Basket-worm 5S 

Belis  jaculifera,  Salisb 233 

lanceofata,  Sweet 233 

Bidwill's  Araucaria 263 

BIOTA,  Don - 329 

falcata,  Hort 340 

Meldensis,  Lawson 339 

Nepalensis,  Endl 334 

orientalis,  Don 329 

argentea,  Hart 331 


BIOTA,  orientalis  clcgantipsima, Roll. 83,1 
flagelliformis,  Jacques. .....  334 

gracilis,  Carr 334 

hybrida,  Hort 336 

maci'ocarpa,  Hort ...  337 

Meldensis,  llort 339 

monstrosa,   Carr 337 

pyramidalis,  Endl 334 

Sieboldii,  Endl 333 

stricta.  Loud 334 

Tartarica,  Hort 338 

variegata  aurca,  Carr 333 

pendula,  Endl 336 

pygmtea,  Hort 340 

Blight 54 

Bloomsdale  Seed  Farm 421 

Brazilian  Araucaria 263 

California  Nutmeg  Tree 385 

CALLITRIS,  Ventenal 307 

quadrivalvis,  Vent 307 

Cataphyllary 323 

Cedar 220 

African 222 

Barbadoes 293 

Deodar 223 

Glaucous-leaved  Red. 293 

Goa,  of 353 

Japan 360 

Lebanon,  of. 227 

Mexican  White 354 

Mt.  Atlas 222 

Oregon 350 

Pencil 304 

Prickly 278 

Red 291 

Variegated-leaved  Red 294 

Weeping  Red 293 

White 317-3-16 

CEDRUS,  Link 220 

Africana,  Gordon 222 

argentea,  Loud 222 

At'lantica,  ManneUi 222 

Deodora,  Loud 223 

crassifolia,  Hort 227 

gigantea,  Knight 227 

robusta,  Hort 227 

tenui folia.  Knight 227 

viridig,  Hort 227 

eleqans,  Knight. 222 

Libani,  Barretter 227 

nana,  Laud 231 

argenteis,  Laud 232 

pendula.  Knight 232 

Cemeteries  and  Parks 424 

CEPHALOTAXUS,  Siebold 390 

drupacea,  Sieb 390 

Fortunii,  Hook 391 

Fartuniifcemina,  Carr 390 

mas,  Hort 391 

Fortunii  pendula,  Carr 391 

peduuculata,  Sieb 394 

Plum-fruited 39!) 

tardiva  adpressa,  Sieb 375 

umbraculifera,  Sieb 394 

Chamcecyparis  ericoides,  Carr 358 

obtusa.  Endl 356 

,  Spach 346 

glauca,  Endl 349 


INDEX. 


429 


Ohamxtiparis  thurifera,  Endl 354 

Chili  Pine 260 

Coleoptera 62 

Collections  of  Conifers 413 

CONIFERS,  definition  of. 13-70 

CRYPTOMERIA,  Don 360 

Japonica,  Don 360 

araucarioides.  Hort. 363 

Lobbii,  Hort ,....363 

nana.  Fortune 363 

pendula,  Leroy . 363 

j)ygmcea.  Loud 363 

viridis,  Hort 363 

CUNNINGHAMIA.  E.  Broivti 232 

lanceolata,  Van  Houtte. 233 

Sinensis,  R.  Brown 232 

glauca,  Hort 236 

CUPRESSINE^B 14-71-268 

Cupreasoides 294 

CUPRESSUS,  Tournefort 340 

aromatica,  Van  H 350 

attenuata,  Gordon 350 

anstralis,  Low 356 

Benthami,  Endl 351 

Calif  arnica,  Carr 350 

Corheyana,  Knight 351 

Coulteri,  Forbes 352 

Devoniana,  Auct 301 

disticha,  Linn. .  364 

ericoides,  Auct 358 

excelsa,  Scott 351 

fragrans,  Kellogg 349 

funebris,  Endl 351 

f/landulosa,  Hook 353 

Goveniana,  Gordon 352 

Knightiana,  Perry 352 

Lawsoniana,  Murray 342 

argentea,  Lavjson 344 

aurea,  Waterer 344 

Lambertiana,  Gordon 353 

Lindleyi,  Klotsch 352 

Lusitanica,  Miller 353 

Mac-Nabiana,  Murray 353 

maci'ocarpa,  Hartiv 353 

Nutkaensis,  Lamb 345 

pendula,  Staunton 351 

Moylei,  Carricrc 356 

sempervircns,  Linn 354 

cereiformis,  Carr 354 

horizontals,  Mill •. .  .854 

monstrosa,  Hort 354 

variegata,  Knight 354 

torulosa,  Don 355 

majestica,  Hort 355 

nana,  Hort 355 

viridis,  Hort 355 

thurifera,  Humb .354 

thyoides,  Linn 346 

atrovirens,  Lawson 349 

Kewensis,  Hort 349 

nana,  Loud 349 

variegata,  Loud 349 

TJhdeana,  Gordon 356 

Whittleyana,  Hort 356 

Cuttings 35 

Cypress 340 

Bald 364 

Black...  ...367 


Cypress,  Deciduous 364 

Fragrant 349 

Lawson's 342 

Montezuma's 367 

Nootka  Sound 345 

Southern  States 367 

Swan  River 312 

Upright 854 

Weeping  Deciduous 369 

White..' 367 

Cypress  Sub-family 14-71-268 

DACRIDIUM,  Solander 404 

Colensoi,  Hook 404 

cupressinum,  Soland 405 

cupressiforme,  Carr 404 

elatum,  Wallich 405 

Franklinii,  Hook 405 

laxifolium,  Hook 405 

DAJIMAKA,  Rumphius 265 

Australia,  Lamb 265 

longifolia,  Lindl. ., 266 

macrophylla,  Lindl 266 

Moori,  Lindl 266 

obtusa,  Lindl 266 

orientalis,  Lamb 266 

alba,  Knight 266 

glauca,  Hort 266 

ovata,  Moore .-..,  266 

Vitensis,  Seem 266 

Diseases 53 

Drop-worm 58 

Etiolation 56 

Euphyllary 323 

Evans'  Arboretum 417 

False  Larch .256 

Field.  R.  S 422 

Fir 155-195 

Fir,  Apollo  Silver 196 

Balm  of  Gilead 197 

Balsam 197 

Cephalonian  Silver 201 

Cilician  Silver 210 

Common  Silver 205 

European  Silver 205 

Fortune's  Silver 218 

Eraser's  Balsam 202 

Great  Silver 211 

Leafy-bracted  Silver 199 

Lovely  Silver 209 

Low's  California!!  Silver 21*4. 

Noble  Silver 203 

Nordmanu's 204 

Pinsapo 215 

Sacred  Silver 208 

Siberian  Silver 213 

Upright  Indian  Silver 214 

Webb's  Purple-coned  Silver 216 

FITZROYA,  Hook 314 

Patagonica,  Hook 314 

FRENELA,  Mirbel 312 

arenosa,  Endl 312 

australis,  Mirbel 312 

calcarata,  Cunn 313 

ericoides,  Endl 313 

Forthergilli,  Endl 313 

fruticosa,  Endl 313 

glauca,  Mirbel 313 

Gunii,  Endl 313 


430 


THE    BOOK    OF    EVERGREENS. 


FKENELA,  Hugelii,  Carriere . .  313 

macrostachya,  Knight 313 

propinqua,    Cunn 313 

pyramidalis,    Carriere 313 

rhomboidea,  Endl 313 

rigida,  Endl . .  313 

robusta,  Cunn 313 

Koei,  Endl 313 

triquetra,  Spach 313 

tuberculata,  Mirbel 313 

variabilis,  Carr 314 

verrucosa,  Cunn 314 

Fungi 54 

Galls 59 

Gangrene 56 

Genera,  Synopsis  of . .  70 

Ginkgo 405 

GLYPTOSTROBUS,  Endl 368 

heterophyllus,  Endl 368 

pendulus,  Endl 369 

Golden  Pine 257 

Grafting 42 

Great  Tree  of  California 239 

Hedges 48 

Hemlock  Spruce 182-184 

Californian 192 

Douglas' 189 

Hooker's 194 

Indian 182 

Hunnewell,  H.  H 421 

Hypsophyllary 323 

Insects 58 

Jointed  Yew 266 

Juniper 268 

Abyssinian 305 

Brown-fruited 279 

Caucasian 277 

Cerros  Island 303 

Chinese 295 

Common 270 

Cypress-like 294 

Dense-growing  Indian 280 

Glaucous 294 

Globular 275 

Globular-fruited 301 

Hedge-hog 275 

Incense 284 

Irish 273 

Large-fruited 276 

Lycian 301 

Oblong-fruited...  277 

Phoenician 300 

Plum-fruited. 275 

Prostrate 282 

Recurved-branched 2&3 

Rigid-leaved 278 

Rocky  Mountain., 299 

Sacred 284 

Savin 285 

Scaled 288 

Spanish 274-290 

Swedish 274 

Tall 281 

Tetragonal 302 

Weeping 278 

JUNIPERUS,  Linn 268 

alba,  Knight 294 

andina,  Nutt 299 


JUNIPERUS,  bacciformis,  Knight.... 300 

Barbadensis,  Linn . .  304 

Bedfordiana,  Knight  293 

Bermudiana,  Linn 304 

brevifolia,  Endl 280 

caesia,  Carriere 294 

Califomica,  Carriere  299 

Canadensis,  Lodd 273 

Canariensis,  Knight 303 

Cedro,  Brown 303 

Cedrus,  Carriere 303 

Cerrosianus,  Kellogg 303 

Chinensis,  Linn 295 

Corneyana,  Gord 351 

Smithii,  Loud 301 

communis,  Linn 270 

Alpina,  Linn 273 

Canademis,  Loud 373 

compressa,  Carriere 274 

depressa,  Pursh 273 

fgstiffiata,  Loud 274 

Hibernica,  Lodd 273 

oblonga,  Loud 277 

pendula,  Eeid 275 

Suecica,  Loud 274 

Wittmanniana,  Carr 279 

densa,  Gord 280 

drupacea.  Labill 275 

dumosa,  Wallich 288 

dumosa,    Carriere 294 

ecktnoformif,  Rinz 275 

elOptica,  Van  Houttc 276 

ericoides,  Auct 358 

excelsa,  Beib 281 

excelsa,  Madden 284 

excelsa,  Pursh 29!) 

flaccida,  ScJdect 304 

flagdltformis,  Reeves 295 

Fwtunii,  Van  H.  Cat 301 

fragrans,  Paul 294 

gigantea,  Roezl 305 

glauca,  Willd 306 

Gossianthanea,  Lodd 293 

qracilis,  Endl 304 

hemisphaerica,  Reed 275 

Japonica,  Carriere 305 

Langoldiana,  Auct 301 

macrocarpa,  Libth 276 

Mexicans,  Schlect .  305 

Nepalensis,  Rinz 283 

oblonga,  Rieb 277 

oblonga  pendula,  Loud 278 

occidental,  Hook 299 

Oliver!,  Carriere 306 

apposittfoUa,  Mcench 304 

Oxycedrus,  Linn 278 

echinoformis,  Van  Houtte. . .  275 

Phaenicia,  Linn 300 

Lycia,  Loud 301 

procera,  Hochst 305 

procumbens,  Pursh 282 

procumbens,  Sieb 305 

prostrata,  Pers . .  .282 

pyriformis,  Lindl 299 

racemosa,  Risso 30B' 

recurva,  Don 283 

densa.  Hort 280 

repanda,  Hort 283 


INDEX. 


431 


,  Nutt 282 

religiosa,  Eoyle 284 

rigida,  Sieb 278 

rufcscens,  Link 279 

Sabina,  Linn 285 

cupressifolia,  Ait 287 

prostrata,  Loud 282 

tamariscifolia,  Ait.   285 

vcriegata,  Loud 288 

Sabinoides,  Griseb 287 

Scliolli,  Hort 294 

sphaerica,  Lindl ...  301 

glauca,  Fortune 302 

struthiacea,  Knight 295 

squamata,  Don 288 

taxifolia,  Hook 304 

tetragona,  Mcench 300 

tetragon  a,  Schlect ...  302 

thurifera,  Linn 290 

thurifera,  Bonpl 354 

Thunbergii,  Hook 295 

Virginiana,  Linn 291 

argentea,  Van  H.  Cat 293 

australis,  Carr 293 

Barbadensis,  Linn 293 

Caroliniana,  Lodd 294 

Chamberlaini,  Hort 293 

cinerascens,  Hort 293 

glauca,  Hort 293 

pendula,  Hort 293 

viridis,  Hort 293 

variegata  alba,  Hort 294 

aurea,  Hort 294 

Webbii,  Carriere 303 

L.-ECHHARDTIA,  ArcJier  (?) 314 

Macleyana,  Archer  (?) 314 

Larch 245 

Altaian .253 

American 247 

Black 247 

Dalmrian 249 

European 249 

False 256 

Japan 254 

Sikkim 252 

Western    253 

LARIX,  Tourn 245 

Americana,  Michx 247 

Cedrus,  Mill 227 

conifera,  Kaempf 255 

Dahurica,    Turcz 249 

Europea,  D.  C. 249 

compacta,  Laws 251 

flore  alba,  Endl 252 

flore  rubra,  Endl 252 

Killerrnanni,  Gord 252 

laxa,  Laws 251 

repens,  Laws 251 

pendula,  Loud 251 

Griffithiana,  Hook 252 

intermedia,  Laws 253 

Japonica,  Carriere 255 

Japonica,  Murr 254 

Ledebourii,  Hups 253 

leptolepis,  Sieb 255 

Lyalli,  Parlat 256 

occidentalis,  Nutt 253 

Sibirica,  Ledeb 253 


Layers 42 

LIBOCEDRUS,  Endl 307 

Chilensis,  Endl 308 

decurrens,  Torr 309 

Doniana,  Endl 310 

tetragona,  Endl 311 

Maiden-hair  Tree 406 

Marshall,  Humphrey 415 

MICROCACHRYS,  Hook 410 

tetragona.  Hook 410 

Moreton  Bay  Pine 264 

NAGEIA,   Gartner 411 

Blumei,  Gordon 411 

cuspidata,    Gord 411 

graudiflora,    Gord 411 

Japonica,  Gcertner 411 

latifolia,    Gord 411 

ovata,  Gord 411 

Norfolk  Island  Pine 265 

Nut-bearing  Torreya 38G 

Oiketicus  coniferarum 58 

OXYCEDRTJS 270 

Parsons  &  Co 419 

Pencil  Cedar 304 

PHEROSPH^ERA, 410 

Hookeriana 410 

PHYLLOCLADUS,  Richard 409 

Alpina,  Hook 409 

glauca,  Carr 409 

hypophylla,  Hook 409 

rhomboidalis,   Rich 410 

trichomanoides,  Don 410 

Picea 195 

alba  echinoformis,  Carriere 160 

amabalis,  Loud —  209 

Apollinis,  Ranch 196 

balsamea,  Loud 197 

bracteata,  Loud 199 

Cephalonica,  Loud 201 

concolor,  Engelm 220 

Engelmanni,  Engelm 177 

firma,  Gord 178 

Fraseri,  Loud 202 

grandis,  Lobb 212 

grandis,  Loud 211 

Herbertiana,  Madden 214 

hirtdla,  Loud 202 

Lowiana.  Gord 218 

Naptha,  Knight 214 

nobilis,  Loud 203 

Nordmanniana,  Loud 204 

Pichta,  Loud 213 

pectinata,  Loud 205 

Pindroru,  Loud 214 

Plnsapo,  Loud 215 

polita,  Carriere 181 

rdigiosa,  Loud 208 

Veitchii,  Lindl 219 

Webbiana,  Loud 216 

WUliamsonii.  Engelm . .  194 

Pierce'a  Park 416 

Pine 74 

Aleppo 83 

American  Cembrian 131 

Austrian 77 

Awned-coned 124 

Banks' 78 

Bhotan .....128 


432 


THE    BOOK    OF   EVERGREENS. 


Pine,  Bishop's 92 

Calabriun  Cluster '80 

Chili 200 

Cluster 94 

Corsican 85 

Coulter's 115 

Dwarf. 98 

Frankincense 122 

Fremont's 112 

Gerard's 114 

Gigantic 134 

Ginger 350 

Golden. 257 

Gray 78 

Great-hooked 115 

Great  Prickly-coned 121 

Heavy-wooded 117 

Huon 405 

Jeffrey's 115 

Jersey 84 

Knee 92 

Lambert's 130 

Loblolly 122 

Long-leaved 109-144 

Lord  Aberdeen's 95 

Moreton  Bay 264 

Mountain 98-135 

Mugho 90 

Norfolk  Island 265 

Nut 112-142 

Old-field 122 

Oregon  Pitch 143 

Pallas' 93 

Pinon 142 

Pitch 119 

Pond 120 

Pyrenean 101 

Radiated-scalcd 118 

Red 102 

Roezl's 141 

Sabines' 121 

Scotch 104 

Scrub 84 

Short-leaved  Yellow 88 

Southern  Yellow 109 

Spruce 82 

Stone 96 

Swiss  Stone 126 

Table  Mountain 98 

Tartarian 93 

Taurian 93 

Tuberculated-conecl 123 

Twisted-branched 81 

Umbrella 238 

Weymouth 136 

White 136 

Pine-leaf  Scale-insect 61 

PINE  SUB-FAMILY 14-70-74 

PINUS,  Linn 74 

Abies,  Lour 233 

Abies,  Thunb .181 

albicaulis,  Etir/elm 149 

amabalis,  Dougl 209 

Aupulcensis,  Lindl 145 

aristata,  Engelm 124 

australis,  Mclix 109 

excelsa,  Loud 112 

Austriaca,  Iloess 77 


PINUS,  Ayacahuite,  Ehrh 145 

Balfouriana,  Jeff. 149 

Banksiana,  Lamb 78 

Beardsleyi,  Murray 117 

Benthamiana,  Hartw 117 

Brutia,  Tenore 80 

Bungeana,  Zucc 153 

Buonapartea.  lloezl 141 

Calif  arnica,  Hartw 123 

Canadensis  bifolia,  Du  Ham 102 

Canariensis,  Smith 142 

caramanica,  Bosc 87 

caramaniensis,  Bon  Jard 87 

Cedrus,  Linn 227 

Cembra,  Linn 126 

Sibirica,  Loud 128 

pygmtea,  Fisch 128 

jnimila,  Endl 128 

Cembra,  Thunb 154 

cembroides,  Gord 142 

cembroides,  Newberry 149 

cembroides,  Zucc 143 

Chihuahuana,  Wisliz 143 

CMnensis,  Knight 94 

conglamerata,  Groef 80 

contorta,  Dougl 81 

Coulteri,  Don . 115 

cornea,  JKoezl 141 

densiflora,  Siebold 151 

Devoniaiia,  Lindl 145 

Edgariana,  Hartw 92 

edulis,  Engelm 142 

Ehrenberg'ii,  Endl 148 

Engelmannii,  Torr 117 

escarena,  Risso 95 

excelsa,  Wall 128 

filifolia,  Lindl 145 

firma,  Ant.  &  Endl 178 

Fischeri,  Booth 92 

flexilis,  James 131 

Fremontiana,  Endl 112 

Friesiana,  Reg.  Flw 149 

Gerardiana,  Wall 114 

glabra,  Walt 82 

Gordoniana,  Hartw 145 

grandis,  Dougl 211 

Grenvillcre,  Gord 146 

Halepensis,  Mill 83 

Pityusa,  Stevens 84 

Hartwegii,  Lindl 146 

ktemsolymitana.  Du  Ham 83 

hirtella,  Humboldt 208 

Hispanica,  Cook 101 

homolepis,  Ant.  &  Endl 178 

Hudsonica,  Law 78 

inops,  Ait 84 

insignis,  Dougl 143 

insularis,  Endl 143 

intermedia,  Fisch 89 

Japonica,  Antoine — 152 

Japonica,  Loud 94 

Jeffreyii,  Hort 115 

Jezoensis,  Ant,  &  Endl 180 

Kcempferi,  Lamb 255 

Koraiensis,  Siebold 154 

Lambertiana,  Dougl 134 

lanceolata,  Lamb 233 

Laricio,  Poir , 85 


INDEX. 


433 


Pcms,  Laritio  Amtriaca,  Endl 77 

Calabrica,  Delam 87 

caramanica,  Loud 87 

contorts,  Gord 87 

Pallasiana,  Loud 93 

pygmaja,  Eauch 87 

Pyrenaica,  Loud 101 

Larix,  Thunb 255 

Latteri,  Madden 94 

Lawsoni,  Eoezl 140 

leiophylla,  Scheide 146 

leptolepis,  Endl 255 

Llaveana,  Scheide 143 

Loudoniana,  Gord 146 

longifolia,  Eoxb 144 

lophosperma,  Lindl 150 

macrocarpa,  Lindl 115 

macrophylla,  Lindl 146 

maritime  Law 94 

maritima,  Pall 93 

minor,  Du  Ham 96 

Massoniana,  Siebold 150 

Merkusii,  Vriese 142 

microcarpa,  Lamb 247 

mitis,  Michx 88 

monophyttm,  Torr 112 

montana,  Baum 91 

montana,  Wahl 91 

Montezumse,  Lamb 147 

monticola,  Dougl 135 

Mugho,  Bauhin 90 

rostrata,  Ant 91 

rotundata,  Link 91 

uliginosa,  Winn 92 

nana.  Loud 92 

Mugfius,  Loud 90 

muricata,  D.  Don 92 

Murrayana,  Balf 92 

Neosa,  Govan 114 

Nepalensis,  Koyle 94 

nigra,  Link 77 

nobUis,  Dougl 203 

Nordmanniana,  Stevens 204 

Nova  Hollandica,  Lodd 94 

Nova  Zealandica,  Lodd 94 

occidentalis,  Swartz 147 

oocarpa,  ScJieide 147 

Orizaba:,  Gord 147 

osteosperma,  Wisliz 143 

Pallasiana.  Lamb 93 

palustris,  Linn 109 

excelsa,  Booth 112 

Parryana,  Gord 144 

parviflora,  Siebold 154 

patula,  Scheide 144 

macrocarpa,  Scheide 144 

Btricta,  Benth 144 

pendula,  Ait 247 

penicettus,  La  Pey 101 

Persica,  Strange 142 

Peuce,  Griseb? 147 

Picea,  Willd 205 

Pinaster,  Ait 94 

escarenus^  Loud 95 

foliis  variegatis,  Loud 96 

Hamilton!!,  Tenore 95 

Lemoinana,  Loud 96 

minor,  Loud 96 

19 


PINUS,  Pinaster,  variegata,  Gord —  96 

Pinaster,  Loud 150 

Pinceana,  Gord 144 

Pinea,  Linn 96 

Cretica,  Loud 97 

fragilis,  Du  Ham 97 

Pinea,  Gord 152 

pdita,  Ant.  &  Endl 181 

ponderosa,  Dougl 117 

protuberans,  Eoezl 141 

Pseudp-Strobus,  Lindl 148 

pumilio,  H&nke 98 

pungens,  Michx 98 

Pyrenaica,  La  Pey 101 

radiata,  Don 118 

Regeliana,  Eoezl 141 

religiosa,  Humboldt 208 

resmosa,  Ait 102 

rigida,  Mitt 119 

serotina,  Loud 120 

'  rubra,  Michx 102 

rubrq,  Siebold 150 

rupestris,  Michx 78 

Russelliana,  Lindl 148 

Sabiniana,  Dougl 121 

Coulteri,  Loud 115 

serotina,  Michx 120 

Sinensis,  Lamb 145 

St.  Helcnica,  Loud 94 

Strobus,  Linn 136 

alba,  Loud 138 

excelsa,  Loud 128 

Lambertiana,  Loud 134 

monticola,  Loud 135 

nana,  Knight 138 

nivea,  Booth 138 

tabuliformis,  Hort 138 

umbraculifera,  Hort 138 

Strobus,  Thunb 154 

strobiformis,  Wisliz 148 

sylvestris,  Linn 104 

Altaica,  Ledeb 108 

argentea,  Stevens 109 

Haguenensis,  Loud 107 

hofizontalis,  Don 107 

intermedia,  Loud 108 

latifblia,  Gord. 108 

monophylla,  Hodg 108 

montana,  Ait 98 

Mugho,  Bauhin 90 

nana,  Hort 108 

pumilio,  Loud 98 

tortuosa,  Don 108 

uncinata,  Don 107 

uncinata,  Widd 91 

variegata,  Hort 108 

sylvestris,  Thunb 150 

Tseda,  Linn. .... 122 

Tartarica,  Mill 98 

Taurica,  Hort 93 

Tchuqatskoy,  Fischer 211 

tenui'folia,  Benth 148 

Teocote,  ScJieide 145 

Torreyana,  Parry 150 

Tsuga,  Ant.  &  Endl .193 

tuberculata,  D.  Don 123 

variahilis,  Pursh 81 

verticillata,  Sieb 238 


434 


THE    BOOK    OF   EVEEGEEENS. 


PINUS,  Wiucesteriana,  Gord 148 

Plant-lice 60 

PODOCAKPUS,  LHeritier. ..' 394 

Alpina,  Brown 398 

amara,  Blume 398 

Andina,  Po&ppeg 398 

Antarctica,  Van  Houtte 398 

Bidwillii,  Hoibrenk 399 

bracteata,  Blume 399 

brevipes,  Blume 399 

Chinensis,  Wallich 399 

aurea,  Gord 399 

argentea,    Gord 399 

coriacea,  Eich 395 

corrugata,  Gord 399 

cupressina,  Broiun 399 

dacryoides,  Eich 400 

discolor,  Blume 400 

elata,  Brown 400 

elongata,  VHeritier 400 

Endlicherianus,  Carr 400 

ensifolia,  Brown 400 

falcata,  Brown 400 

ferruginea,  Don .  .401 

Japan, 395 

Japonica,  Sieb 395 

Koraiana,  Sieb 401 

Iseta,  Hoibrenk .401 

Lamberti,  Klotzsch 401 

Laurencii,  Hook .401 

Leathery-leaved 395 

leptostachya,  Hook 401 

macrophylla,  Don 401 

neglecta,  Blume 401 

nereifolia,  Brown 402 

nivalis,  Hook .  .402 

nubigaeua,  Lindl 397 

oleifolia,  Don 402 

polystachya,  Brown 402 

pungens,  Van  Houtte 404 

Purdieana,  Hook 402 

rigida,  Klotzsch 402 

Bumphii,  Blume 402 

salicifolia,  Klotzsch 403 

Sellowii,  Klotzsch 403 

spicata,  Brown 403 

spinulosa,  Brown 403 

taxifolia,  Humboldt 403 

densifolia,  Kemble 404 

thevetisefolia,  Blume .404 

Tminbergii,  Hook 404 

Totara,  Don 404 

Princeton,  N.  J.,  Collection 422 

Propagation 28 

Pruning  and  After  Management 46 

Pruning,  Season  for 51 

PSEUDOLAKIX,   Gord 256 

Kaempferi,  Gord 257 

Eedwood 244 

EETINISPORA,  Siebold 356 

ericoides,  Zucc 358 

leptoclada,  Zucc 360 

lycopodioides,  Standish 360 

obtusa,  Sieb 356 

ericoides,  Hort 358 

aurea,  Fortune 359 

argentea,  Fortune 359 

pygmsea,   Gord 359 


RETINOSPORA,  pisifera,  Sieb . .  .359 

aurea,  Fortune 360 

argentea.  Fortune 360 

Bquarrosa,  Sieb 359 

leptoclada,  Sieb 360 

variegata,  Sieb 359 

SABINILE 280 

SALISBUBIA,  Smith 405 

adiantifolia,  Smith 406 

macrophylla,  Hort 409 

variegata,   Carr 409 

Sargent,  Winthrop 418 

Savin  Junipers 280 

Cypress-leaved .287 

Tamarisk-leaved 287 

Variegated-leaved 288 

SAXE-GoTHuEA,  Lindley 410 

conspicua,  Lindl 410 

Scale  Insects 61 

SCIADOPITYS,  Sieb.  &  Zucc 236 

verticillata,  Sieb.  &  Zucc 238 

Screens 48 

Seedlings 28 

Transplanting 26 

Seeds,  preserving 30 

Sowing  of 33 

SEQUOIA,  Endl 239 

gigantea,  Torr 239 

sempervirens,  Endl 244 

Wellingtonia,  Lawson 244 

Situation  &  Selection  of  Varieties..  65 

Soil  and  Planting 17 

Spruce 155-156 

Black 169 

Dimsclale's  Silver 160 

Double 169 

Eastern 172 

Engelmann's — 177 

Himalayan 173 

Menzies1 166 

Norway 160 

Obovate-coned 170 

Patton's  Giant 172 

Eed 170 

Single 157 

White 157 

Swan  Eiver  Cypress 312 

Synopsis  of  Genera 70 

TAXINE.E 14-72-372 

TAXODIUM,  Richard 363 

distichum,  Eichard 364 

denudatum,  Leroy 367 

fastigiatum,  Knight 367 

Mexicanum,  Gord 367 

nanum,  Carr 368 

pendulum,  Loud 693 

/Sinense,  Loud 369 

Japonicum,  Denhardt 368 

nuciferum,  Brogn 368 

sempervirens,  Lamb 244 

Sinense,  Noisette 369 

pendulum,  Forbes 369 

TAXUS,  Tourntfort 372 

adpressa,  Knight 375 

baccata,  Linn 376 

adpressa,  Carr .375 

Canadensis,  Gray £78 

Cheshuntensis,  W.  Paul. ...  382 


INDEX. 


435 


TAXUS,  baccata  Dovastoni,  Loud. .  .379 

erecta,  Loud 380 

ericoides,  Hort 381 

fastigiata,  Loud 378 

fructo-lutea,  Loud 380 

Foxii,  Hort 380 

glauca,  Carr 380 

gracilis,  Hort 382 

Hibernica,  Hort 379 

Indica,  Madden 384 

Jacksonii,    W.  Paul 382 

linearis,  Hort 382 

Mexicana,  Hartw 384 

monstrosa,  Hort 381 

nana,  Knight 380 

recurva,  Carr 380 

eparsifolia,  Loud 381 

variegata,  Loud 381 

variegata  alba,  Carr 381 

variegata  aurea,  Carr 381 

brevifolia,  Nutt 383 

coriacea,  Auct 395 

cuspidata,  Sieb 383 

Floridana,  Nutt 384 

globosa,  Schlect 384 

Lindleyana.  Murray 383 

MitcMli,  Hort 381 

montana,  Nutt 384 

nucifera,  Royle 384 

mocumbens,  Lodd 378 

pyramidalis,  Knight 380 

stricta,  B.art 380 

tardiva,  Lawson 375 

verticUlata,  Thunb 238 

virgata,  Wallich 384 

Wallichiana,  Zucc 384 

Thrips  juniper! 61 

THUIOPSIS,  Siebold 325 

borealis,  Fisch . . .345 

dolabrata,  Sieb 326 

nana,  Sieb 328 

variegata,  Fortune 338 

Itetevirens,  Hort 328 

Standishii,  Gord 328 

THUJA,  Tournefort 315 

articulata,W&til 307 

aurea,  Waterer 331 

Caucasica,  Leroy 322 

Chilensis,  Lamb.  <fe  Don 308 

compacta,  Standish 322 

Craigiana,  Jeff. 309 

dolabrata,  Thunb 326 

Doniana,  Hook 310 

dumosa,   Gordon 325 

falcata,  Lindl    340 

jUiformis.  Lodd 336 

qiqantea,  Gordon 309 

qigantea,  Nutt 315 

Japonica,  Hort 356 

Japonica,  Sieb 333 

Lobbii,  Hort 309 

macrocarpa,  Hort 337 

occidentalis,  Linn 317 

argentea,  Carr 321 

aspknifolia,  Hort 321 

compacta,  Parsons 322 

cristata,  Buist 322 


TH-UJA,  occidentalis  densa,G!0rc?0tt..322 

ericoides,  Booth 322 

globosa,  Hort 321 

Hoveyi,  Hort 321 

orientalis  nana,  Carr 333 

nana,  Hoopes 321 

pendula,  Gordon 321 

plicata.  Loud 320 

variegata,   Carr 321 

pnmila,  Booth 321 

Sibirica,  Hort 319 

variegata,  Loud 321 

Vervaeneana,  Hort 322 

pendula,  Lamb 336 

plicata,  Don 320 

pygmcea,  Veitch 359 

tetragona.  Hook 311 

Thyridopterix  ephemasraformis 58 

Time  to  Plant 22 

TOKREYA,  Arnott 385 

Californica,  Torrey 385 

grandis,  Fortune 389 

Humboldtii,  Knight 403 

myristica,  Hook 385 

nucifera,  Zucc 386 

taxifolia,  Arnott 387 

Tsuga 182 

Brunoniana,  Carriere 182 

Canadensis,  Carr 184 

Douglasii,  Carr 189 

Lindleyana,  Roezl 191 

Mertewiana,  Carr 192 

Sieboldii,  Carr 193 

Umbrella  Pine 238 

Varieties,  Selection  of 65 

VEITCIIIA,  Lindley 412 

Japonica,  Lindley 412 

Washinqtonia  gigantea,  Kellogg — 239 

Wellesley 421 

WeUingtonia  gigantea,  Lindl 239 

White  Cedar 317-346 

WIDDIUNGTONIA,  Endl 306 

Commersonii,  Endl 306 

cupressoides,  Endl.  306 

ericoides,  Knight 358 

iuniperoides,  Endl 307 

Natalensis,  Endl 307 

Wallichiana,  Endl 307 

Wodenethe 418 

Yew 372 

American 378 

English 376 

Fox's  Dwarf 380 

Glaucous 380 

Golden  Variegated 381 

Jointed 266 

Mexican 384 

Silver  Variegated 381 

Spreading  Irish 379 

Stinking 387 

Upright  Irish 378 

Wallich's 389 

Weeping 879 

Yellow-fruited 380 

Yew-leaved  Torreya 387 

Yew  Sub-family 14-72-872 


VALUABLE  AND   BEAUTIFUL  WORK. 


HAERIS' 

Insects   Injurious   to  Vegetation. 


BT  THE  LATE 


THADDEUS  WILLIAM  HARRIS,  M.D. 

A  New  Edition,  enlarged  and  improved,  with  additions  from  the  author'* 
manuscripts  and  original  notes. 
Illustrated  by  engravings  drawn  from  nature  under  the  supervision  of 


Edited  by  CHARLES  L.  FLINT, 
Secretary  of  the  Massachusetts  State  Board  of  Agriculture. 

O  O3XTTE33STTS. 
CHAPTER    I. 

INTRODUCTION.— Insects  Defined— Brain  and  Nerves— Air-Pipes  and  Breath- 
ing-Holes— Heart  and  Blood — Metamorphoses  or  Transformations — 
Classification ;  Orders  and  Groups. 

CHAPTER    II. 

COLEOPTERA.— Beetles— Scaraboeians— Ground-Beetles— Tree-Beetles— Cock- 
chafers—Flower,  Stag,  Spring,  Timber,  Capricorn,  Leaf-mining,  and  Tor- 
toise  Beetles— Chrysomelians— Cantharides. 

CHAPTER    III. 

ORTHOPTERA.— Earwigs— Cockroaches--  Soothsayers— Walking-sticks  or 
Spectres— Mole,  Field,  Climbing,  and  Wingless  Crickets— Grasshoppers- 
Katydid— Locusts. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

HEMIPTERA.— Bugs— Squash-Bug— Clinch-Bug— Plant  Bugs— Harvest  Flies— 
Tree-Hoppers— Vine-Hoppers— Plant-Lice— American  Blight— Bark-Lice. 

CHAPTER    V. 

LEPIDOPTERA.  — Caterpillars  —  Butterflies — Skippers — Hawk-Moths— J2ge- 
rians  or  Boring  Caterpillars— Moths— Cut-Worms— Span-Worms—Leaf- 
Rollers—Fruit,  Bee,  Corn,  Clothes,  and  Feather-Winged  Moths. 

CHAPTER    VI. 

HYMENOPTERA.— Stingers  and  Piercers— Saw-Flies  and  Slugs— Elm,  Fir, 
and  Vine  Saw-Fly  —  Rose-Bush  and  Pear-Tree  Slugs  — Horn-Tailed 
Wood-Wasps— Gall-Flies—Barley  Insect  and  Joint  Worm. 

CHAPTER    VII. 

DlPTERA.— Gnats   and  Flies— Maggots    and  their    Transformations— Gall 
Gnats— Hessian,  Wheat,  and  Radish  Flies— Two-Winged  Gall-Flies,  an>? 
Fruit-Flies. 
KPPENDIX.— The  Army  Worm. 

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THE    VARIA.TIOIV 

OP 

ANIMALS  AND  PLANTS 

UNDER     DOMESTICATION. 

BY 

D^RTWUST,   M:.^L.,   IP.R.S.,   ETC. 

AUTHORIZED  EDITION. 
3c     .A.    I'n.DESiE'-A.ODE! 

BY 

PROFESSOR    ASA    GRAY. 

I3ST    n 


This  work  treats  of  the  variations  in  our  domestic  animals  and  cultivated 
plants,  discussing  the  circumstances  that  influence  these  variations,  inherit- 
ance of  peculiarities,  results  of  in-and-in  breeding,  crossing,  etc. 

It  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  books  of  the  present  day,  presenting  an 
array  of  facts  that  show  the  most  extraordinary  amount  of  observation  and 
-esearch.  All  the  domestic  animals,  from  horses  and  cattle  to  canary-birds  and 
noney-bees,  are  discussed,  as  well  as  our  leading  culinary  and  other  plants, 
making  it  a  work  of  the  greatest  interest. 

Its  importance  to  agriculturists,  breeders,  scientific  men,  and  the  general 
reader  will  be  seen  by  its  scope  as  indicated  in  the  following  partial  enumera- 
tion of  its  contents :  PIGS,  CATTLE,  SHEEP,  GOATS  ;  DOGS  AND  CATS,  HORSES 
AND  ASSES  ;  DOMESTIC  BABBITS  ;  DOMESTIC  PIGEONS  ;  FOWLS,  DUCKS,  GEESE, 
PEACOCK,  TURKEY,  GUINEA  FOWL,  CANARY-BIRD,  GOLD-FISH;  HIVE-BEES; 
SILK-MOTHS.  CULTIVATED  PLANTS  ;  CEREAL  AND  CULINARY  PLANTS  ;  FRUITS, 
ORNAMENTAL  TREES,  FLOWERS,  BUD  VARIATION.  INHERITANCE,  REVERSION 
OR  ATAVISM,  CROSSING.  ON  THE  GOOD  EFFECTS  OF  CROSSING,  AND  ON  THK 
EVIL  EFFECTS  OF  CLOSE  INTERBREEDING.  SELECTION.  CAUSES  OF  VARIABIL- 
ITY, LAWS  OF  VARIATION,  ETC.,  ETO. 

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GARDENING  FOR  PROFIT 

In  the  Market  and  Family  Grarden- 
BY  PETER  HENDEKSON. 

IIL.3LiTJSTR-A.TEID. 


This  is  the  first  work  on  Market  Gardening  ever  published  in  this 
country.  Its  author  is  well  known  as  a  market  gardener  of  eighteen 
years'  successful  experience.  In  this  work  he  has  recorded  this 
experience,  and  given,  without  reservation,  the  methods  necessary 
to  the  profitable  culture  of  the  commercial  or 


It  is  a  work  for  which  there  has  long  been  a  demand,  and  one 
which  will  commend  itself,  not  only  to  those  who  grow  vegetables 
for  sale,  but  to  the  cultivator  of  the 

FAMILY  GARDEN, 

to  whom  it  presents  methods  quite  different  from  the  old  ones  gen- 
erally practiced.  It  is  an  ORIGINAL  AND  PURELY  AMERICAN  work,  and 
not  made  up,  as  books  on  gardening  too  often  are,  by  quotations 
from  foreign  authors. 

Every  thing  is  made  perfectly  plain,  and  the  subject  treated  in  all 
its  details,  from  the  selection  of  the  soil  to  preparing  the  products 
for  market. 

CONTENTS. 

Men  fitted  for  the  Business  of  Gardening. 

The  Amount  of  Capital  Required,  and 

"Working  Decree  per  Acre. 

Profits  of  Market  Gardening. 

Location,  Situation,  and  Laying  Out. 

Soils,  Drainage,  and  Preparation. 

Manures,  Implements. 

Uses  and  Management  of  Cold  Frames. 

Formation  and  Management  of  Hot-beds. 

Forcing  Pits  or  Green-houses. 

Seeds  and  Seed  Baising. 

How,  "When,  and  Where  to  Sow  Seedc. 

Transplanting,  Insects. 

Packing  of  Vegetables  for  Shipping. 

Preservation  of  Vegetables  in  "Winter. 

Vegetables,  their  Varieties  and  Cultivation. 

In  the  last  chapter,  the  most  valuable  kinds  are  described,  and 
the  culture  proper  to  each  is  given  in  detail. 

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THE 

SMALL    FRUIT    CULTURIST. 

BY 

ANDREW  S.  FULLER. 
Beautifully  Illustrated. 

We  have  heretofore  had  no  work  especially  devoted  to  small 
fruits,  and  certainly  no  treatises  anywhere  that  give  the  information 
contained  in  this.  It  is  to  the  advantage  of  special  works  that  the 
author  can  say  all  that  he  has  to  say  on  any  subject,  and  not  be 
restricted  as  to  space,  as  he  must  be  in  those  works  that  cover  the 
culture  of  all  fruits — great  and  small. 

This  book  covers  the  whole  ground  of  Propagating  Small  Fruits, 
their  Culture,  Varieties,  Packing  for  Market,  etc.  While  very  full  on 
the  other  fruits,  the  Currants  and  Raspberries  have  been  more  care- 
fully elaborated  than  ever  before,  and  in  this  important  part  of  hia 
book,  the  author  has  had  the  invaluable  counsel  of  Charles  Downing. 
The  chapter  on  gathering  and  packing  the  fruit  is  a  valuable  one, 
and  in  it  are  figured  all  the  baskets  and  boxes  now  in  common  use. 
The  book  is  very  finely  and  thoroughly  illustrated,  and  makes  an 
admirable  companion  to  the  Grape  Culturist,  by  the  same  author. 

OOISTTEISTTS: 

CHAP.  I.  BARBERRY.  CHAP.  VII.  GOOSEBERRY. 

CHAP.  II.  STRAWBERRY.  CHAP.  VIII.  CORNELIAN  CHERRY. 

CHAP.  III.  RASPBERRY.  CHAP.  IX.  CRANBERRY. 

CHAP.  IV.  BLACKBERRY.  CHAP.   X.  HUCKLEBERRY. 

CHAP.  V.  DWARF  CHERRY.  CHAP.  XI.  SHEPERDIA. 

CHAP.  VI.  CURRANT.  CHAP.  XII.  PREPARATION  FOB 

GATHERING  FRUIT. 

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AMERICAN   POMOLOGY. 
APPLES. 


JBy   3>oct.    JOEDV    JL. 

PBESIDEKT  OHIO  POMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY;  VICE-PBESIDENT  AMERICAN 
POMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY. 

293    II<  LUSTRATIONS. 

This  volume  lias  about  750  pages,  the  first  375  of  which  are  de- 
voted to  the  discussion  of  the  general  subjects  of  propagation,  nur- 
sery culture,  selection  and  planting,  cultivation  of  orchards,  care  of 
fruit,  insects,  and  the  like  ;  the  remainder  is  occupied  with  descrip- 
tions of  apples.  With  the  richness  of  material  at  hand,  the  trouble 
was  to  decide  what  to  leave  out.  It  will  be  found  that  while  the 
old  and  standard  varieties  are  not  neglected,  the  new  and  promising 
sorts,  especially  those  of  the  South  and  West,  have  prominence. 
A  list  of  selections  for  different  localities  by  eminent  orchardists  is 
a  valuable  portion  of  the  volume,  while  the  Analytical  Index  or 
Catalogue  Raisonne,  as  the  French  would  say,  is  the  most  extended 
American  fruit  list  ever  published,  and  gives  evidence  of  a  fearful 
amount  of  labor. 

CONTENTS. 

Chapter  I.—  INTRODUCTORY. 

Chapter         II.-HISTORY    OF    THE    APPLE. 

Chapter       III.-PROPAGATION. 

Buds  and  Cuttings—  Grafting—  Budding—  the  Nursery. 
Chapter        IV.-DWARFING. 
Chapter          V.-DISEASES. 

Chapter        VI.-THE    SITE    FOR    AX    ORCHARD. 
Chapter      VII.-PREPARATION  OF  SOIL,  FOR  AN  ORCHARD. 
Chapter    VIII.-SELECTION    AND    PLANTING. 
Chapter       IX.-CULTURE,  Etc. 
Chapter         X.-PHILOSOPHY    OF    PRUNING. 
Chapter       XI.—  THINNING. 

Chapter     XII.—  RIPENING    AND    PRESERVING    FRUITS. 
Chapter  XIII.  and  XIV.-INSECTS. 
Chapter      XV.-CHARACTERS     OF      FRUITS      AND      THEIR 

VALUE  —  TERMS    USED. 
Chapter    XVI.-CLASSIFICATION. 

Necessity  for  —  Basis  of—  Characters  —  Shape  —  Its  Regu- 

larity—Flavor—Color—Their several  Values,  etc.    De- 

scription of  Apples. 

Chapter  XVII.-FRUIT  LISTS  -CATALOGUE  AND  INDEX  OF 
FRUITS. 

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PRACTICAL  FLORICULTURE, 

A  GUIDE  TO  THE 

SUCCESSFUL  PROPAGATION  AND  CULTIVATION  OF 

Florists'  Plants. 

BY  PETER  HENDERSON,  BERGEX  CITY,  fl.  J. 


Mr.  HENDERSON  is  known  as  the  largest  Commercial  Florist  in 
the  country.  In  the  present  work  he  gives  a  full  account  of  hia 
modes  of  propagation  and  cultivation.  It  is  adapted  to  the  wants 
of  the  amateur  as  well  as  the  professional  grower. 

The  scope  of  the  work  may  be  judged  from  the  following 

TABUE    OF    CONTENTS. 


Aspect  and  Soil. 

Laying  out  Lawn  and  Flower  Garden 

Designs  for  Flower  Gardens. 

Planting  of  Flower  Beds. 

Soils  for  Potting. 

Temperature  and  Moisture. 

The  Potting  of  Plants. 

Cold  Frames— Winter  Protection. 

Construction  of  Hot-Beds. 

Greenhouse  Structures. 

Modes  of  Heating. 

Propagation  by  Seeds. 

Propagation  by  Cuttings. 

Propagation  of  Lilies. 

Culture  of  the  Rose. 

Culture  of  the  Verbena. 

Culture  of  the  Tuberose. 

Diary  of  Operations  for 


Orchid  Culture. 
Holland  Bulbs. 
Cape  Bulbs. 

Winter-Flowering  Plants. 
Construction  of  Bouquets. 
Hanging  Baskets. 
Window  Gardening. 
Rock-Work. 
Insects. 

Nature's  Law  of  Colors. 
Packing  Plants. 
Plants  by  Mail. 
Profits  of  Floriculture. 
Soft-Wooded  Plants. 
Greenhouse  Plants. 
Annuals. 

Hardy  Herbaceous  Plants, 
each  Day  of  the  Year. 


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THE   AMERICAN 

AGRICULTURAL  ANNUAL 

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A  VALUABLE  YEAE  BOOK, 

Farmers'  Almanac  and  Directory. 

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Feeders,  and  A  Directory,  giving  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  princi- 
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VETERINARY  MATTERS,  by  Dr.  JOHN  BUSTEED 

CATTLE  DISEASES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES,  by  Professor  JOHN  GAMGEE,  of 
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"  A  FEW  WORDS  ON  PIGS,"  by  JOSEPH  HARRIS  ; 

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character  of  the  Annuals  for  1867  and  1868.  Sent  post-paid.    Price, 

fancy  paper  covers,  50  cents ;  cloth,  75  cents. 

ORANOE    JUDO    &    CO., 

34,5     Broadway, 


THE    AMERICAN 

HORTICULTURAL  ANNUAL 

FOR      1 SOO. 

AN  ELEGANT  YEAE-BOOK 

FOR    EVERY    HOME. 


THIS  useful  and  valuable  Year-Book  has  now  readied  its  third 
number,  and  in  point  of  interest  and  elegance  is  quite  equal  to 
those  which  have  preceded  it.  Every  one  who  would  know  what 
has  been  done  in  Horticulture  during  the  year  should  have  it.  It 
gives  reports  on 

APPLES,  by  Warder, 
PEARS,  by  Bussey, 
CHERRIES,  by  Elliott, 
GRAPES,  by  Several  Growers, 
SMALL    FRUITS,  by  Fuller, 
EVERGREENS,  by  Parsons  &  Hoopes, 
ROSES,  by  Several  Writers, 
FLOWERS,  by  Henderson, 
VEGETABLES,  by  Gregory  and  others. 

Besides  these,  and  much  editorial  matter,  there  are  several  Es. 
says  of  practical  value.  Mr.  Hoopes  gives  the  best  account  of  the 
now  popular  Clematis  yet  published.  Mr.  Such  has  an  article  on 
the  Culture  of  the  Gladiolus,  and  Mr.  Brill  gives  the  best  way  of 
cultivating  Asparagus  for  home  use  or  for  market.  The  work  con- 
tains  Useful  Tables,  a  List  of  the  Horticultural  Books  of  the  Year, 
also  a  List  of  Nurserymen,  Seedsmen,  etc. 

BEAUTIFULLY    ILLUSTRATED. 
Sent  post-paid.      Price,  fancy  paper  covers,  SOc. ;  cloth,  75c. 

ORANGE    JUDD    &    CO., 

Broadway,    •N'ew-York. 


[Established  In  1843.] 

fA  Good,  Cheap,  and  very  Valuable  Paper  for 
Every  Man,  Woman  and  Child, 

IN  CITY,  VILLAGE  and   COUNTRY, 

THE 

AMERICA!   AGRICULTURIST, 

FOR    THE 

FARM,  OABDEN  AND  HOUSEHOLD, 

Including  a  Special  Department  of  Interesting  and 

Instructive  Reading  for  CHILDREN  and  YOUTH. 

The  Agriculturist  Is  a  large  periodical  of  Thirty-two  pages,  quarto,  not  octavo, 
beautifully  printed,  and  filled  with  plain,  practical,  reliable,  original  matter,  includ- 
ing hundreds  of  beautiful  and  instructive  Engravings  In  every  annual  volume. 

It  contains  each  month  a  Calendar  of  Operations  to  he  performed  on  the  Farm, 
in  the  Orchard  and  Garden,  in  and  around  the  Dwelling,  etc. 

The  thousands  of  hints  and  suggestions  given  In  every  volume  are  prepared  by  prac- 
tical, Intelligent  -working  men,  who  know  what  they  talk  and  write  about.  The 
articles  are  thoroughly  edited,  and  every  way  reliable. 

The  Household  Department  is  valuable  to  every  Housekeeper,  affording 
rery  many  useful  hints  and  directions  calculated  to  lighten  and  facilitate  in-door  work. 

The  Department  for  Children  and  Youth,  is  prepared  with  special  care 
not  only  to  amuse,  but  also  to  inculcate  knowledge  and  sound  moral  principles. 

Terms.— The  circulation  of  the  American  Agriculturist,  (about  15O.OOO)  la  BO 
large  that  it  can  be  furnished  at  the  low  price  of  $1.50  a  year ;  four  copies,  one  year,  for 
$3;  ten  copies,  one  year,  for  $12;  twenty  or  more  copies,  one  year.  SI  each-  single 
copies,  15  cents  each.  An  extra  copy  to  the  one  furnishing  a  club  of  ten  or  twenty. 

TRY    IT    .A.    YEAJEfc. 

ORANGE    JUDD    &    CO., 
Publishers  &  Proprietors, 

245   Broadway,  New- York  City. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below, 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
.Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall 


or 


RECEIVED 

•CD  LD      I,;'         5 '69-10  AM 
-10  PMl     fcOAN  DEPT, 


-  1966     5 


J'JN  30  19690 


LD  21A-40m-ll  '63 
(El602slO)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


